Recipe: Spinach Corn Pasta

Pasta, an Italian born ingredient, has won the hearts of food lovers all over the world. Who can deny pasta loaded with cheese? At least I can't😁 

Pasta is normally made out of wheat flour, salt, water in combination with or without eggs. Variations of pasta made with rice, corn, quinoa and other legumes are available as well. Pasta can be made in different shapes and sizes, while Spaghetti, Lasagna, Fettuccini, Macaroni, Conchiglie, Penne, Farfalle, Fusilli, Ravioli and Riccioli are quite famous varieties. We can cook pasta in white creamy sauce, red sauce, pesto sauce or just with cheese. Pasta can also be baked, made into salads, added into soups; making it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.

If you have boiled pasta handy, the recipe I am sharing today recipe can be easily made within 10 minutes and can be eaten for break fast, lunch, dinner or a snack. It is well suited for birthday parties, family get togethers and weekend dinners. Even it can be a lunch box item for busy week days. Kids will empty their lunch boxes for sure. 

Ingredients:

• Pasta (of your choice) - 1/2 cup
• Spinach (thinly chopped) - 1 cup
• Sweet corn - 2 tbsp
• Garlic (thinly chopped) - 1/2 tbsp
• Wheat flour - 2 tsp
• Milk - 1/4 cup
• Pepper powder - 1/8 tsp
• Oregano - 1/4 tsp 
• Cream or Cheddar Cheese (grated) - 1/4 cup *
• Olive oil - 2 tsp
• Butter - 1 tbsp
• Water - 2 cups
• Salt - As per taste

* Can use a cheese slice instead, which is most commonly stacked in our refrigerators 

Procedure:

• Boil 2 cups water in a sauce pan. Once the water boils, add 1 tsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 cup of pasta. I used shell pasta (Conchiglie) for this recipe
• Once pasta becomes soft, yet firm, drain the water and wash pasta in cool water, to stop further cooking. Retain the drained water for later use
• To a hot pan, add 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter
• Once butter melts, add 1/2 tbsp chopped garlic and fry till it releases its flavour
• Then, add 2 tbsp sweet corn and fry for a minute or two. Corn doesn't take much time to cook
• Add 1 cup chopped spinach and fry for a minute
• Once the spinach wilts, add 2 tsp wheat flour and fry till the raw smell of the flour is gone 
• Add 1/4 cup milk and mix well to avoid any lumps
• Once milk starts to boil, add 1/4 cup of grated cheese (cream or cheddar). I used a slice of cheddar cheese 
• When cheese starts to melt, add 1/8 tsp pepper powder, 1/4 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp salt and mix well 
• If the sauce is thick, you may add the pasta water to adjust the consistency (per your preference)
• Add boiled pasta, mix well until the pasta is well coated with sauce
• Garnish with sweet corn, oregano and red chilli flakes (optional) and serve while the pasta is hot

Tips:

• Boil and store pasta as part of your meal preparation the previous night or a day before
• You may add 1/4 tsp red chilli flakes along with pepper to increase the heat level

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