Have you ever seen words forming images? In my case yes. Many idioms have been dancing in my head for a while, trying desperately to form images. Or is it called hallucination?? However I tried, they were becoming stronger & stronger and taking centrestage amongst them were these popular sayings - 'life served on a platter', 'if life gives you a lemon, you make a lemonade' and 'born with a silver spoon'. The inventor of these sayings undoubtedly must have been a foodie, like all of us reading this (oh sorry if you are not & accidently reached this page, you can still drool over the pics).
For me there's another interpretation of this line - served on a platter, than getting the fancy luxuries and comforts of life. It's a reflection of our life & culture, that we pass through our hands. So that tasty dish being served in that beautiful chinaware is not just a dish, but a part of our memory, life, culture, tradition, taste, mood and also attitude. Trust me anything cooked in bad mood & with negative emotions will never taste good. But a well thought dish, made with love will surely pass a happy memory and a healthy habit to your loved ones. Spend few extra minutes before actual cooking, and you will never regret those minutes ever. In those few self-conversational moments you will learn how by replacing a thick slice of cheese to tofu or lettuce in your kid's burger, you are passing a habit and a taste that he might develop for life. A habit of healthy eating. All served on his platter. So go green and pass it on.
Ingredients:
Olive Oil - 2-3 tbsp
Garlic Cloves - 6-8 (finely chopped/ minced)
Spinach Leaves - 1 cup (roughly chopped)
Spaghetti - 100 gm
Chilly Flakes - 1/2 tbsp
Oregano/ Italian Seasoning - 1-2 tsp (Or as per liking)
Grated Cheese - 1/4 cup (Optional. I didn't use to keep it lighter)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Method:
- Cook spaghetti al dente, as per the packaging instructions in enough water. Add 1/4 tbsp salt & 3-4 drops of oil to water as well.
- Drain spaghetti, retaining little water.
- Combine olive oil and garlic in a pan, and cook till garlic gets lightly browned and fragrant.
- Add the spinach, salt and pepper and cook; tossing it gently, until the spinach begins to wilt.
- Add pasta, chilly flakes and seasoning to it and mix it well, so that flavours blend well, for 2-3 mins
- If desired, and if you feel pasta is too dry, add a little water and let it also mix well.
- Transfer to a serving dish and top with grated cheese.
Notes:
- Spinach is a very nutrient-dense food, meaning low in calorie but very high in minerals & vitamins. In fact on per calorie basis, spinach has more protein than beef or steak.
- Al Dente is the Italian expression of cooking pasta or rice, till its firm but not hard or firm crisp. Another expression is that it 'should have a bite'. And one of the best ways I know to check that out is by the "Line Method'. After the pasta has been cooked till almost the cooking time instructed, mostly it's 9-12 minutes, take a pasta out of the pan and cut it in half. Now if you look closely, you will see either of the following - a white thick line at the tip of the cut pasta, meaning it's undercooked; or no line, meaning it's overcooked, or a very very thin line, meaning it's perfectly cooked. trust me it's the perfect indicator.
-
Cook this with whole wheat pasta, and up the health quotient by many notches of this wholesome meal.
Sending this as my entry to following events - Dish it out - Spinach & Garlic, Light Lunches, & Cook it Healthy - Proteinicious.
wow, that looks delicious and lovely to look at as well :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful platter of healthy spaghetti, simply irresistible and delicious.
ReplyDeleteLove the green effect here . Not only looks delicious but you have made it healthy also
ReplyDeleteDeepa
Hamaree Rasoi
wow so healthy and delicious spaghetti !!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anamika for that healthy and tasty dish.
ReplyDeleteVardhini
Event: Dish it Out - Spinach and Garlic
Event: Healthy Lunchbox Ideas - Broccoli
The spaghetti looks so inviting Anamika..lovely addition of greens...neat and bright clicks.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs. The spaghetti looks delightful
ReplyDeleteThanks guys!!
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe n a WONDERFUL click !!!
ReplyDeleteLove the flavor:-) Superb clicks..
ReplyDeletewow!! this recipe is mouth watery!!! i cannot find plain noodles near by to try this!! this one is tempting me :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging!!!!
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wow, lovely recipe and a perfect entry to my event.Thanks for sending it to my event. Hope to see more recipes from u for the event :)
ReplyDeleteEvent:COOK IT HEALTHY:PROTEINicious
The first pic is stuning ~ lovely flavors n there :)
ReplyDeleteUS Masala
Sounds delicious . I always cook pasta with spinach. You can save some of those pasta water and add them later to add moist. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete@kankana Thanks Kankana. Exactly the same thing I mentioned, to add moisture. Love your exotic version of pasta too.
ReplyDeleteWoaw, this is a yummilicious and healthy plate of pasta! Pictures are gorgeous, too!
ReplyDeleteStunning picture!! Very colorful too - great job!
ReplyDeleteOMG... .What a tempting recipe.. looks so delicious and mouth watering.. Beautiful picture too :)
ReplyDeleteYummy !!!!!!!
Indian Cuisine
@Hari Chandana Thnks for visiting. I'm sure you will enjoy it too!!
ReplyDeleteThis dish was very good. I used only one Tbsp of oil and added mushrooms (to make it "meaty"). Next time, I'll add double the amount of spinach. YUM!
ReplyDelete@Memória Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Glad that you liked it!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anamika, thanks for submitting your photo to DMBLGiT July 2011. Wishing you good luck !
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYummylish! My husband even loved it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful recipe... beautiful pics...
ReplyDeleteI love this pasta dish! Pepper flakes, garlic and spinach...yum! Beautiful photographs too!
ReplyDeleteI love spaghetti since I was a child. My mom always cooks me, my brothers and my sister whenever it's our birthday or other special occasions that needs celebrating. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Now I can cook for my mom.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThere are different kinds of spinach you get in India. Can you specify which one is best for this recipe? I don't have a clue when I look at a few varieties in the market, especially in South India.
Meghana
@Unknown Well in this case I used the packet of frozen spinach, and it worked well...In India I always used the flat large green spinach (surely not the baby spinach..hope that helps, since I'm not too sure of what all varieties you get in South India...its the same as the one used in palak paneer.
ReplyDelete@Texas Food Handler Certification Great to know that you have a tradition of greens for special occasions than just sugar laden goodies..hope ur mom like it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Glad to follow you :)
ReplyDeleteDo drop by my space sometime. Would love to hear from you!
Chef Al dente On going event: Gimme GREEN!
Yes, the addition of some greens would be fabulous! :) Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteI like noodles but the article is boring....
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