Sunday, June 21, 2009

Macaroni with Cheese and Tomoatoes

I had prepared this dish 5-6 times and the youngsters liked it very much. This recipe is from an old paper cutting of Hindu newspaper dated September '07! I don't know why I did not try all these times! It is very easy to make. I used 'True' brand wheat macaroni and the taste was very good. I took the photograph before adding the cheese.!





Now,the recipe:

Ingredients:

1. 250 gms. Macaroni

2. 2 tbsp. Butter

3. 2 Medium sized onions, finely sliced

4. 2 Capsicums, finely sliced

5. 2 Tomatoes, finely sliced

6. 3 tbsp. Tomato Ketchup

7. 4-5 tbsp. Grated cheese (add more cheese to taste better!)

8. 2 tsp. chilli Flakes (warm 6-7 red chillies and grind it coarsely in the mixie)

9. 3 cups White sauce

10. 1 tsp. Oregano

11. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Method:

Boil 5-6 cups of water in a vessel. Add half tsp. of salt and a tsp. of any cooking oil. Add the macaroni and boil for 5 mts. The macaroni should not become very soft. Strain and keep aside.

Heat a tbsp. of butter in a frying pan and add onions. Fry for 2 mts. Add capsicums and fry for 2 mts. Switch off the fire.

Now prepare the white sauce in another vessel and keep it. If you prepare it very early, it becomes very thick and sticky.

Now, switch on the fire and add macaroni, tomato ketchup and white sauce to the onion and capsicums' pan. Add the tomatoes, chilli flakes, oregano, a tsp. of salt and a tsp. of pepper. (Taste it and see if the salt is enough!). Stir well. Cook on a low flame for 2 mts. Pour the mixture in a greased baking dish. Cover with grated cheese.

Bake it in a hot oven until the cheese turns into light brown. 180 degree C for the first 10 mts. and then 150 degree for another 10-15 mts.

Serve hot.

WHITE SAUCE:

Ingredients:

1. 2 tbsp. butter

2. 3 tbsp. Maida (Plain flour)

3. 3 cups milk

4. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Method:

Melt the butter in a flat pan. add the plain flour and keep stirring on a low flame, without browning it.

Add the milk gradually, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens. There should be no lumps. Add half tsp. of salt and half tsp. of pepper. The sauce can be made thin by adding more milk.

Preparation time for this recipe is very less. Any new cook can try this!

Comments are welcome!





9 comments:

Saritha said...

welcome to food blog sandhya :)

Sandhya said...

Thank you, Saritha! You are the first commentor for this recipe and for this new blog! I will be happy if you try some of the recipes and tell me how it came out. If there is any suggestion to improve, I will be happier to know, Saritha. Thank you.

Urmi said...

Looks delicious.I will definitely try this recipe.
You are also welcome in my food blog-
http://khanamasala.blogspot.com

radha said...

I always have problem with the white sauce. Any easy way to make it without lumps being formed?

Sandhya said...

Radha: I prepare white sauce, always in the way it is given here.

After frying the flour in butter, we have to add milk slowly. Add some quarter cup, mix it thoroughly, then add some more, mix, then add the rest of the milk. You can mash the lumps from the first time you add milk. If the maida is not fried and raw, you might get lumps. The fire should be low. Thats it!

radha said...

Thanks. I probably have been adding all the milk at one time! Will give this a try.

Sanand said...

My son and I love cheesy macaroni and now we are into cheesy pasta with garlic bread.

Sandhya said...

Sanand: Both of you love cheesy macaroni? This is my son's favourite. Try it and please tell me how it came out. You can always drop a line if you have got any doubt or if you have got suggestions!

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