Recipe: Spicy one-pan pasta

A tantalising homemade treat for you to indulge in

Method

•  Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the sausages until they become crispy on both sides.

•  Add the chopped onions and garlic paste to the pan and fry on medium heat until they become translucent.

•  Add the salt, pepper, tomatoes, green chili paste, chicken broth and cream in gradually, stirring well on low heat. Continue stirring until a creamy tomato gravy is formed.

•  Add the uncooked pasta and fold it into the gravy, bringing the mix to a boil. Cover the pan and let the ingredients cook on low heat for 15 minutes.

•  Once the pasta is ready, dish it out in a pan and cover it with the shredded chili cheese. Place the pan in the oven and heat it for another three to five minutes, until the cheese melts.

•  Sprinkle the pasta with dried parsley or oregano and serve warm.

Note: If you feel like the gravy is too little, simply mix two tablespoons of tomato paste with 1/2 glass of water and add it to the pan while cooking.

Eat pasta without weight gain

When you are trying to eat healthy, carbs become your ultimate enemy. All we really want to do is cast that salad aside and rip into the heavenly goodness that is displayed at the bakery window.

However, everything is best when in moderation. Carbs, too, have essential benefits that we must reap. So what now? Is it alright for us to indulge in our favourite comfort foods without guilt? Unfortunately no, but there is a way to enjoy carbs. Pasta, for instance, is one dish that almost all of us can’t live without. So here are five simple ways to enjoy it without packing on the pounds:

Don’t deprive to survive: Most of us don’t quite understand how the human body works. We fail to realise that when we eliminate a certain food from our system, we only crave it more. Therefore, if you are crazy for noodles, avoiding them will eventually prove futile. Experts recommend that you treat yourself to a small portion of your favourite pasta every now and then to keep the love alive. This way, you will stay both healthy and happy!

Go for whole grain: Not all carbs are equal; some of them are more detrimental than others. Therefore, nutritionists all around the world prescribe consuming at least 40% of calories from carbs and that too, preferably, whole foods. Local grocery stores are laden with countless options for us to choose from, such as alternative noodles, brown rice and brown pasta. They taste the same with virtually half the calories.

Flavour focus: If every bite we eat is satisfying in terms of taste, we are less likely to overeat. Ironic, isn’t it? The concept seems rather strange as one would expect to eat more when what we are eating tastes good but our body reacts in the opposite way. Why not take advantage of it then? Try some new pasta mix or toss in your favourite protein to make your dish go a long way. The more the flavour, the less weight you will gain.

Veg your way to weight-loss: Since starchy carbs are already on the menu tonight, why not flood them with as many nutrients as you can? Pasta always tastes better with roasted or sautéed vegetables and the best part is that they cook down so much that you will hardly notice they are there. Mushrooms, peppers and olives are just some of the items you could include.

Keep the pasta aside: No matter how much we love our pasta, it should never be the prime focus of our plate. Proteins and vegetables should be given the most attention and the pasta should ideally not exceed more than a fist-size helping. The pasta should be there to complement the other items there — not be the main item itself.

SOURCE: WWW.SHAPE.COM

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, November 22^nd, 2015.