smittenbyu | pasta a la peperoni & salad

peperoni is not to be confused with pepperoni the sausage. This dish is 100% vegetarian! i am not sure where I got this recipe from. I would like to think I made it my own. As often I do get recipes but never follow them to the tee. So, I share the recipe as per

elodie21's request...

Ingredients
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 yellow bell pepper chopped
1 spoon of cumin seeds, mustard seeds (each)
3 spoons of olive oil
few cloves of garlic
1 carrot
1 small onion
4 spoons of tomato paste
3 green chillies (the ones I use are about 2-3 inches long)
grated parmegean cheese
1 cup of water (or less)
Paprika
Italian herbs (find them on the spice rack in supermarkets) or fresh herbs is of course better!!)
salt to taste

"to cook (makes about 5 servings)

1. Heat up olive oil & roast the spices (cumin & corriander seeds) together. When you hear the corriander seeds pop, add in the onion, chillies, and garlic & fry
2. Once the onions look colourless, or when you are starting to choke and cough from the spicy fumes, add in the bell pepper & carrot & fry for a few more minutes so they absorb in the spices
3. When the ingredients are about to stick to the non-stick pan, add in the tomato paste and stir in. Just add half a cup of water to create some moisture and lower flame & cover
4. Stir to appease your impatience and add in the rest of the water and let it simmer
5. Add in paprika & italian herbs & stir & last add in salt.
5. The whole thing takes about half hour (or less)

Don't forget to prepare the pasta or noodles....and pour the sauce over and sprinkle generously freshly grated cheese.

I like my sauces thick & tomato-y. If you don't you can stir in 2 spoons of tomato paste with the 1 cup of water instead. It all depends on your tastebuds. With this recipe I don't add much salt, as I add salt while preparing the spaghetti/pasta.

oh and the salad - fetta cheese, tomatoes, different lettuce, onion, sundried tomato, olives, olive oil, salt & pepper