Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Recently, I was on the phone with a friend who doesn’t know how to cook and he was complaining about how he doesn’t get to eat home cooked meals. I suggested pasta and he said it sounded too complicated. Then, I realised that there are probably more guys like him out there who are simply scared to try cooking because it all sounds complicated. Hence, I decided to post this pasta recipe. In a way, this post is geared towards guys who don’t have wives and girlfriends to cook for them and would like to eat home cooked meal but it can also be useful for ladies on those days when we are simply too tired to make an elaborate meal. It is very easy and quick to make. On the plus side, the cost won’t break the bank.

The Recipe

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 20 mins

Total Duration: 30 mins

Ingredients

·        500g Pasta

·        70g tomato paste

·        1 onion, chopped

·        5 loose tomatoes, chopped

·        5 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped (ata rodo)

·        1 garlic clove, crushed

·        Spring onions (optional)

·        Mixed Herbs (Can be substituted with thyme)

·        Curry

·        Black Pepper

·        Salt

·        1 knorr cube (or any other alternative)

·        2 tbsps. of Oil

Directions

       1.     Add the Pasta to a pan of salted boiling water and boil for about 10 – 12 mins or until tender.

    2.     After boiling, transfer in to a sieve and drain. Run through with cold water to loosen the pasta shapes.

    3.     Place a medium size frying pan on the burner at medium heat (if you have a non- stick pan, it is better).

    4.     Add the oil and leave to heat up. Then, pour in the onions, spring onions and scotch bonnet peppers and stir for about a minute.

    5.     Then stir in the chopped tomatoes and the tomato paste and continue to stir.

    6.     Add the knorr cube. Then, season with mixed herbs (or thyme), curry and salt to your desired taste.

    7.     Leave to cook for about 2 – 3 mins.

    8.     Serve with the pasta and enjoy!!!

Tips:

   It is best eaten while hot.

  I used the spring onions because it added a bit of colour. You don’t have to use it if you don’t want to.

  When the oil was drying whilst frying, I added water instead of more oil as it is healthier that way. You can add either, it doesn’t make a difference.

Feel free to add your own unique twist to the recipe. I am happy to answer any questions. Do let me know how you get on via the comments section below.  

Ciao.