Pasta delights

Cook's Nook with AMY BEH
source: The Star

Pasta makes for a satisfying meal regardless of how it is prepared.

A MEAL of pasta is as filling as eating a bowl or plate of rice with side dishes. It is so convenient to cook. Instead of having western-style cooked pasta dishes you can opt for easier preparations such as stir-fried pasta for a change.

Asian Style Stir-fried Pasta

180g fusilli (spiral-shaped pasta)

20g fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced

15g carrot, cut into desired shapes

25g prawns, shelled

1 tbsp oil

½ tsp sesame oil

½ tsp chopped garlic

Sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp black pepper sauce

Dash of pepper

1/8 tsp sugar

¼ tsp chicken stock granules

150ml water

Cook pasta according to packet instructions, then drain and put aside.

Heat oil and sesame oil in a wok. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Add carrot and prawns and fry for a while.

Add pasta and mushrooms. Stir in sauce ingredients to mix. Toss and fry until heated through for 3-4 minutes. Dish out and serve immediately.

Chicken Meatballs With Linguine

250g linguine

300g skinned chicken breast meat, minced

3 water chestnuts, minced

3 shelled prawns, minced

1 tbsp finely chopped carrot

1 tbsp sesame oil

50g fresh mushrooms, quartered

1 bunch of baby bok choy, leaves separated

Seasoning

1 tsp light soy sauce

½ tsp pepper

Pinch of salt and sugar

½ tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp cornflour

Sauce

1 tbsp abalone sauce

1/8 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp pepper

A little thick soya sauce (for colour)

4 tbsp fresh chicken stock

Cook linguine according to packet instructions. Drain and leave aside.

Combine minced chicken meat, water chestnuts, prawns and carrot in a bowl. Add seasoning and mix until mixture turns sticky. Shape mixture into small meatballs.

Bring water in a saucepan to a boil, drop the meat balls in and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. Dish out and put aside.

Heat sesame oil in a clean saucepan. Cook and stir the mushrooms for 1-2 minutes. Add the bok choy and linguine. Stir in sauce ingredients and toss gently until heated through. Return meatballs to the pan. Toss to combine then dish out to serve.

Quick-fry Spicy Spaghetti

200g spaghetti

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 button mushrooms, halved and sliced

½ tsp finely blended dried chilli or chilli flakes

A few dashes of coarsely ground black pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

2-3 tbsp fresh chicken stock

Garnishing

1 tbsp chopped parsley

Cook spaghetti according to packet instructions, then drain well and set aside.

Sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant and lightly golden. Add chicken stock, spaghetti and button mushrooms. Toss and fry until heated through.

Sprinkle in chilli flakes, ground black pepper and parsley. Toss lightly to combine then dish out and serve.