Cheesy Zucchini Veggie Bake



When I need to eat my veggies as a complete meal I prefer making them into a lovely casserole, the crusty top and cheesy inside is what makes me love eating a variety of veggies and not missing any chicken. I just adore the buttery topping with my favourite panko breadcrumbs. Yummmm !

 

 For this dish I added spinach, mushroom and tomato so it is a complete meal and we are full !

If you wish you can also serve with some soup on the side, that will be wonderful, right?

 

This recipe is so easy !

Cut zucchini in circles and toss them in very little olive oil adding a pinch salt.

Just to soften them a bit.

 

Cook mushrooms adding salt , crushed garlic and pepper.

 

Grate some yummy cheese.

 

Saute spinach with garlic and a small onion adding salt and pepper.

 

You can add more veggies of your choice and make a few layers, the choice is yours totally.

 Start by adding some panko to melted butter, this will be the topping for the bake.

 Add some butter to the dish you will be baking this in, add some tomatoes and sprinkle some buttery panko, we are going to be creating veggie layers.

 Next add half of the the zucchini and then the spinach in the middle.

 Cover with a the mushrooms.

 Again add in the rest of the zucchini and top with cheese.

 Top with the buttery panko and bake at 200 c covered with a foil for 20 min.
Uncover and bake for another 10/15 min on grill till golden on top !

 I made 2 casseroles that day, my hubbys favourite Chicken and Mushroom Bake. just for him.

 That's it, the top will be golden and a bit crusty and dinner is ready guys !
Cheers !

 

Classic Cherry Tomato and Basil Spegatti | Tomato Basil Spegatti





Last year on my holiday to Italy all I did was eat pasta and pizza, yes I was in heaven and be it Rome, Venice or Pisa every place I ate blew my mind away. I so need to go back !

 

Now everytime I make pasta I somehow feel I am missing out something and I just do not enjoy it until I got hold of the most classic, ridiculously easy and perfect recipe for cherry tomato and basil spegatti. If you love the classic Italian pasta which has the most simple and fresh ingredients then give this one a try, you will be smiling and will continue smiling for a long time I promise you.

 

Please try it you guys !

 

 

You need (for 2)

1/2 packet spegatti

1/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano  (only use freshly grated)

6 cloves garlic chopped

1tbs extra virgin olive oil to marinate the tomatoes

6/8 fresh basil leaves

2 tsp or to taste freshly grated pepper

1 tsp sugar

salt to taste

2 cups cherry tomatoes

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tbs regular olive oil to cook

 

 

Start by marinating the tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil, sugar, 2/3 basil leaves and 1 tsp salt.
Cover the bowl and keep it in the fridge for 2 hours, if you plan to cook it immediately at least give it 15 min to marinate in room temperature.

When you are ready to cook start boiling a pot of water and add in salt and a little oil, wait for a boil and then add in the spegatti. Cook according to instructions, mine took 9 min.

For the Sauce !
Add in regular olive in a pan and saute the garlic only till fragrant, quickly add in the marinated tomatoes and cover with a lid. The tomatoes will burst open and create a sauce so keep it covered for 4/6 min on a low heat.

Open the lid and saute for a min, add in salt, pepper and tear in few basil leaves.at this stage check for seasoning and add in salt, chili flakes and more sugar to balance the flavours.
You may cover it and cook for 2/3 min more if you want it completely mushy.

By now the spegatti will be cooked so drain it and add it to the sauce and toss to coat.
Serve it on a warm plate so it stays nice and hot, garnish with basil and the parmigiano.
You can also drizzle some extra virgin olive oil for some more flavour if you please.

Now your done ! Please serve it immediately !

 

Yummy Tuna Pasta Bake with Vegetables | Creamy Cheesy Tuna Veggie Bake

Here is a quick and yummy cheesy tuna casserole filled with veggies, coated in a creamy sauce and with a delicious crusty top. Serve it with a green salad or corn and dinner is ready in no time.

 

These kind of recipes are a great way to clear up any left over veggies before you go to stock up your fridge again.

You may also add any vegetable of your choice and make it along with chicken or entirely a veggie bake, my personal favourite is this simple tuna bake.

 

So for cheesy tuna and veggie bake you need...

 

 

                           

1 can tuna
1 cup mix veg of your choice (I used cauliflower, beans, peas and carrots)
1 onion chopped
2/4 cloves garlic chopped fine
1 tsp oregano
1tsp dried parsley
1 tsp Italian seasoning
 2 tsp chili flakes
1tbs whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup milk
1 cup half cooked pasta of your choice
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 tbsp. butter and olive oil
1 cup or more cheese (add more if you want it super cheesy)
salt and pepper to taste

                                    
Start by adding butter and olive in a pan and then add in the onion and chopped garlic.
Then add in the mix veg, saute for 2/5 min

Add in the whole wheat flour and saute for 2 more min on low heat, also add in the chili flakes,oregano and parsley and cook another  min.

 

Now add in the milk and stir, the flour helps the milk get thick and your creamy sauce is ready.
Add salt and pepper too,make sure to keep stirring to avoid any lumps.

                         

Time to add in the pasta and  the drained tuna,cook till everything is well coated with the sauce . You can add some cheese at this stage.

While this is cooking make the bread crumb mix, all you do is mix the bread crumbs with the cheese  some Italian seasoning. Keep it aside for later.

 

It is time to bake now, add the tuna and pasta in a baking dish and bake covered with foil for 15 min on 180 c.
After 15 min remove the foil and top with the bread crumb cheese mix as shown in the above pic and grill uncovered for 10 min on 200c, bake longer if you want it more crusty, but do keep an eye, you do not want to burn it.

 

It is ready now. See the crusty cheesy top?

 

 

 

I served it with boiled corn and mint lemonade. It was perfect !
So hope you all try this cheesy and creamy tuna veggie bake, it is the bomb.

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Easy Recipes for Winter (Penne Pasta with Sausage and Veggies)

This Penne recipe is perfect for winter with pumkin as the base sauce along with zucchini and spicy chicken sausage.I added some low fat cream cheese to get a creamy taste,and i promose you will have the perfect dinner on a cold night to keep you warm and cosy.

you need

1 cup penne
1/2 cup pumkin puree
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup zucchini chopped fine
4 chicken sausages chopped
1 small onion chopped fine
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp low fat cream cheese
salt to taste

Start by making a puree with the pumkin and garlic mixed together.Keep it aside.
In olive oil saute the onion till pink and add the sausages and zucchini. Cook on low for 5/7 min till the zucchini is cooked.Add in a pinch of salt and the Italian seasoning.

At this stage you can start boiling the penne so it will be ready along with the sause.

By now the zucchini and sausages will be done so now add in the pumkin puree,and cook for 5 min on low.

Cover the pan so the pumkin puree gets well coated with the sausages and also gets cooked quickly.

Now add in the boiled penne and toss well.Cover the pan for 2 min.

Finish off the dish by mixing in the cream cheese and the crushed pepper.

Serve hot with a slice of bread.
Dinner is now ready !!

Low Fat Fettuccine with Zucchini | Light Fettuccine with Zucchini and Cream Cheese

This is my way of making Low Fat Fettuccine with Zucchini,it turns out so delicious with out adding cream and a whole lot of cheese in.

So if you are in the mood for some cheesy pasta,but also want to watch your calories,then this recipe is for you.And so tasty too.Try it some day !

Tips on How to boil pasta like a pro?
Always add pasta to boiling water.No excuse to that.

Never add oil to Pasta while it is boiling,the Italians never do,it is not real pasta if you do they say.
Reason is once you add oil the sauce does not stick to the pasta.Total disaster.
All the sauce remains in the plate as the oil makes it slippery for the sauce to hold on to it now you do not want that right?

And Never Ever run Pasta in running water after boiling,that is the worst you can do to any pasta dish.
You need the starch.Again the Italians never ever rinse their pasta.
Lets do what they do and be safe.

Make sure you Pasta in a big pot with lots of water so the pasta swims in.They need lots of room.
Try it just with salt and water and see the difference yourself.

Fettuccine Pasta Recipe for 2
Fettuccine
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
less than 1/2 cup veg stock or water
1 tsp flour
2 garlic grated

Seasoning
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp chili flakes
2 tsp Italian herb mix
salt to taste

2 tsp low fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
olive oil to cook

Look below for the method of cooking.

Cooking the Low Fat Fettuccine with Zucchini

For this dish use a nice big pan so you are free to toss your pasta,using a big pan also helps to not break down the Fettuccine.

Add olive oil and butter (optional) to a pan and saute the chopped zucchini,add the garlic and all the seasonings.After 2 min add in the flour and coat the zucchini with it.

Adding the flour makes you get a creamy sauce with out adding cream.

Now add in the veg stock and boil for a min or two.

Add the Low Fat Cream Cheese and stir,now add the boiled pasta.Toss it gently.

It is ready now !



Eat away !

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Broccoli and Spinach Pasta (Healthy Pasta Recipe) | Spinach and Broccoli Pasta with Salami

This easy and Healthy Pasta recipe gets ready in less than 30 min and it has that creamy velvety taste which goes perfect with broccoli and spinach.

Adding other veggies is upto you,but today i just wanted a green and white pasta dish for dinner...Hope you all try this awsome recipe..

Do check out my video for the recipe ~

WATCH MY VIDEO ON HOW TO COOK IT >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXeJAk5iXpw




Serve with cheese on top



                                                         Sent to Fast Food event

Flavourful Chicken Spaghetti Bolognaise | Chicken Spaghetti to Feed a Crowd

If you have a dinner party and you need to cook something quick then do give this dish a try.
Lots of wonderful flavours mixed in with the chicken and all in one pot,its a all time crowd pleaser and your guests will love it.

The Tastiest Chicken Spaghetti Bolognaise Recipe 

Chicken Bolognaise made simple

  You can also use Angel Hair Pasta for this dish.



mmm ready to be eaten..

Recipe below !!

 

celery 1/4 cup chopped
1 carrot
garlic 10 cloves
2 onions
chicken mince 2 cups

oregano 2tsp
dried parsley1 tsp
chilli flakes 1/4 tsp
3 tsp paprika

in a chopper crush the celery and carrot

1 heaped spoon tomato paste

in olive oil,saute the onion,garlic with carrot and celery,then add in the spices on low heat
DO NOT BROWN..now add in the chicken

after the chicken is half cooked add the tomato paste and red wine (optional)
cook till done

cook the spaghetti with salt and few drops oil

in a serving dish,add some butter and sprinkle parsley,then spread the cooked spaghetti



now add the chicken mince on top and cover with foil before mixing...
serve warm !!

Sent to Fast food event 

Microwave Cheesy Chicken and Mushroom Bake | Microwave Chicken and Mushroom Caserole

This dish cant get more classic,mushrooms,chicken and cheese topped with potatoes!

A Wonderful combo that is always a hit.

I call this Microwave Chicken and Mushroom Bake a Quick and a Complete Meal,if you wana go all the way,serve with crisps and a salad on the side...And your done ! Do try this yummy bake..


Cheesy ...

 Read on

small onion
garlic
lots of mushroom

chicken mince

mash potatoes,and add butter for that buttery goodness

add few drops of milk for creamy texture

brown onions and garlic,add any seasoning along with chili flakes..
i added mexican seasoning...you may add pepper  or italian herbs if you dont have mexican seasoning

add chicken and cook till done..
u can also add cheese,you guessed right i added 1 cube cheese...
and yes i added a bit of boiled macroni...

in a baking dish,add some butter or oil to grease it
i used olive oil

add the meat mix at the bottom and cover with the mashed potato

top with any cheese,i added cheese slice and sprinkled chili pwd

bake in the microwave for 10 min

 This is a wonderful and easy Microwave Dinner Recipe.You got to try this.

all melted ....



eat away !