Pasta with Broccoli in Tomato and Coconut Sauce.

It was last weekend when i just wanted to cook something good without going to the store for ingredient shopping. So this dish was just derived at random with all that i had in my kitchen, and it turned out to be fantastic!! Just thought of sharing this with you. So, here it is-

Please note that since i am a free style and a self taught cook, i am not that accurate with measurements and technicalities but i assure you that you cook with love and this recipe will come out as a star!!

Ingredients:-

1. Pasta of your choice - 1 Small Packet. ( I used Penne)
2. Broccoli - 7 to 8 medium sized florets
3. Tomatoes - 5 to 6 medium sized
4. Tomato Ketchup - 1 to 2 tablespoon
5. Parmesan Cheese - Grated
6. Coconut Milk - 1 Can
7. Some Fresh Mint Leaves
8. Garlic  (chopped) - 6 to 7 big cloves
9. Chili Flakes 
10. Dried Basil
11. Salt

The Process:- 

For the tomato puree - 

1. Make small cross mark slits at the bottom of the tomatoes, and blanch them in boiling water till the skin starts to come out.
2. Drain and rinse in cold water,and then peel off the skin which will come out easily because of the cross slits.
3. Put the peeled tomatoes in the blender and throw in some mint leaves as well. May be 6 to 7 nice fresh mint leaves and blend it. Keep this puree aside now.

For the Pasta:- 

1. Boil Water in an open vessel. We usually take 4-6 cups of water for boiling 100gm of dry pasta.
2. Add salt to it. We usually add 1 tablespoon salt to a litre of water. Also add a few drops of oil in the water.
3. Bring the water to a boil and then add the pasta.
4. Cook it till the al -dente  stage, which means the pasta is just cooked enough and it still has a bite in it. It should stick to your teeth when you eat it.
5. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water so that it is all nicely separated.

 For the sauce:-

1. Pour a generous amount of olive oil in a wok or pan.
2. Put in the chopper garlic and chili flakes in the pan and saute till it slightly changes color and starts to give a nice aroma. Adding the chili flakes depends upon how spicy you want to eat, add it as per your liking. I put 1 or 2 teaspoons.
3. Add the broccoli and saute.
4. Pour the tomato puree prepared separately. Also add a tablespoon of tomato ketchup to give it more taste.
5. After the sauce starts to boil, add the coconut milk.
6. Season the sauce with salt and dried basil. (Add some more chili flakes at this stage if you want to make it spicy).
7. Reduce till the sauce becomes a little thick and the broccoli has partially cooked. (Remember that the broccoli should have enough bite and crunch in it, and should not be cooked fully)
8. Add the pasta into the sauce. Stir and mix well. At this stage, check the seasoning once again and add salt if necessary.
9. Grate some  Parmesan Cheese into the pasta.
10. Serve hot and garnish it with some more grated parmesan and a twig of fresh mint.

Do try this and I assure you that you will be amazed by that awesome flavor of fresh mint and coconut. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome!!

Happy Cooking!!