Sunday, February 3, 2008

Vegetable Pasta Nests with Garlic Cream Sauce


Given the frequency that this blog has been updated the past few days, you pals should be able to guess whats cooking in my kitchen. We have been sticking to the basics and most of the times having some quick fix meals. Blame it on my workload or just the “n” things I get involved in at a time, there’s always something or the other going on.

So the theme “Comfort Foods” for Meeta’s Monthly Mingle comes around at a perfect time for me. Burgers, Mac and Cheese, Pasta or Plain Dal and Rice are the only options on the menu these days. So when our friend Sydney decided to visit us last Friday, I just simply decked up my comfort food for the day and Vegetable Pasta Nests with Garlic Cream Sauce were set on the table! The dinner was loved by all. Here you go….

Ingredients:

For the Pasta

4 Angel Hair Pasta Nests
Some butter to brush the tops of the pasta nests
2 tbs bread crumbs
2 tbs Parmesan cheese, shredded
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

For the Vegetables

1 large red bell pepper, cut in strips
4 portobello mushroom caps, sliced
1 large zucchini
1 large garlic cloves, chopped
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

For the Garlic Cream Sauce

1 tbs butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 large garlic clove, chopped
1 pint half and half
1/2 cup milk
4 tbs Parmesan cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper

Method:

Vegetables

1. Mix all the ingredients for the vegetables and broil on a cookie sheet at 350 deg C.
2. Add the salt only after all the vegetables cook.

Sauce

1. Melt some butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for about a minute.
2. Then add half and half and milk and bring to a slow simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer until the mixture starts to get thick.
3. Add the cheese, salt and pepper. Stir the sauce well and remove from the heat.

Pasta

1. Cook the pasta as per the instructions on the box. (I add some salt and olive oil to the water before cooking the pasta.)
2. Place pasta nests on a baking tray. Brush the tops with some butter. Sprinkle some bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese on the top. Place under the broiler at 350 deg C. Keep a close eye on the pasta. Remove from the broiler as soon as the tops turn golden brown.

Serving:

On a dinner plate, place a big spoonful of the garlic cream sauce. Place the pasta nests on the sauce. Top the nests with the vegetables. Pour some more sauce on the top. Top with some parsley or cilantro.

18 comments:

Katie Zeller said...

Anytime I see the words 'garlic' and 'cream' in the same sentence I know I've found something wonderful!
Not a clue where I could buy pasta nests...but I bet I can make them~

Finla said...

Yummm the creamy garlic sauce in it would have given excelent taste

Sig said...

Wow Poonam, garlic cream sauce sounds really yummy, and the picture looks beauitful!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have seen the pasta nests at a mediterranean parket close to home. The garlic and cream would be the ultimate!

Poonam said...

Katiez: Yup, you can sure make some nests using a muffin tray.

HC, Sig, BV: The garlic cream sauce in this recipe really leaves an impression.

Laavanya said...

The sauce sounds too good and infact I love the entire combination.
The mango pannacotta looks great too.

Anonymous said...

Galic cream sauce!!! Sounds like a comfy heaven to me. thanks Poonam!

FH said...

Garlic cream sauce! I am moving in with ya! Looks great!:))

Anonymous said...

your Italian dishes are getting interesting with each recipe....the garlic cream sauce seems really delish.....

the mango panna cotta looks so wonderful, beautiful pic

Poonam said...

Laavanya, Meeta, Asha, Bhags: Thank you so much!

Srivalli said...

good to see you after a long time poonam...thats a nice looking dish!

Uma said...

Looks delicious. Pasta and creamy garlic sauce sounds to be good combination. I shall try it. Thanks for sharing.

Thistlemoon said...

That sounds great and the colors are beautiful!

Poonam said...

Srivalli, Uma and Jenn: I am glad you liked it! Thank you.

Mythreyee said...

Oh my God! that looks heavenly. I wish I had that for today's lunch. I am drooling. Its the exact combo that I love the most, pasta with garlic cram sauce. Great blog with awesome recipes and catchy pictures.

Cynthia said...

Just having you walk towards the table with this dish would make diners happy :)

Julie said...

This looks wonderful, I'll have to give this try.

Anonymous said...

This sounds great - proper cheesey comfort food but with a few vegetables too!