Super Quick Creamy Linguine
Filed Under (pasta) by Indhu on 30-08-2009
Hey all,
Loooooooooong time. I know. Thank you for all your comments and emails. It definitely helped to know that there are people wishing good things for me. This break was good in more ways than one. I spent some time doing a lot of things that I like - reading, walking, etc. So, the issues that I had mentioned in my last post are still there… but I have come to the zen conclusion that I can only try as much as I can… and the rest is upto … well, I don’t know… God??? not God.. I guess it is upto the people involved… including me… so, I have decided to do as much as I can to help the situation and then take it easy… and I also took this as an opportunity to get it in my mind that life is going to throw me all sorts of nasty challenges and I just have to tackle them as best as I can. Attitude is everything…right? 
Anyway, I was catching up on my reading and I read an awesome awesome book - Ponniyin Selvan.It was spectacular. Reading it in tamizh was awesome. I am not sure how the English version will be but am glad I stuck with the tamizh version. Kalki was such a prolific writer. I don’t think I can describe his writing prowess. I am not even going to try.Those of you who can get hold of this book - please, please do read it.. And tell me when you read it, how many of you had a crush on Vandhiyadevan? how many of you had one on Arul Mozhi Varmar? and how many of you had one on both? That would be me
Coming to today’s recipe, summer is giving way to fall.. and I am trying to hold on to the last bits of summer - which means less time in front of the stove and more time outside. I was looking for something quick with pasta and I found this on Veganyumyum . I modified the recipe a little bit to suit my taste and pantry. I am not going to specify the exact measurements because I just eye-balled them and made this for 2 people. You can adjust the amount according to your preferences.
Ingredients
1. Whole wheat linguine - enough for two
2. olive oil - 2 tsp
3. salt - to taste
4. tomatoes - 2
5. cashew - 10
6. green chillies - 2
7. black pepper - to taste
8. capsicum - 1 (chopped)
9. red chillies - 3
10. lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Recipe
1. Chop the tomatoes and green chillies
2. Add the chopped tomatoes, green chillies and cashew nuts to the blender and grind them to a paste. You can add a little bit of water if you want.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
4. Salt it and add the linguine to it and cook according to package instructions.
5. Take a saucepan and add the olive oil and red chillies to it. Saute it for a minute.
6. Add the capsicum and let it cook for a 3-4 minutes (Make sure the capsicum stays crunchy)
7. Add the ground paste to the saucepan. Add salt and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes.
8. Add the pasta and freshly cracked black pepper and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
9. Switch off the stove and add some freshly squeezed lemon juice and serve.
This is a quick dish - the sauce can be made while the linguine is cooking and we can get the dish on the table in under 30 minutes which makes this a winner in my book
As good as this tasted, there are some things that I would like to change the next time I make this. I was in a hurry and I had just one sorry looking capsicum in my refrigerator and thus the measly amount of vegetables. This would taste great with some more bell peppers, carrots, peas, broccoli. Basically, anything you can load it up with. Also, I think I will add some basil to the sauce the next time - make it a kind of tomato-pesto-cashew sauce. Yup… am definitely adding basil the next time.
God.. it feels good to be back
Nice to see you back! with a great colorful recipe. Loved your addition of green chillies for the heat:-)
Let’s see if i can get a hand & some time in hand to read that book.
Hi Indhu, Good to see you. I have been taking a long break myself. The move and spending time with my daughter doing fun stuff. I like this pasta that you have posted. Makes me want to prepare it sometime soon.
First time here… Lovely Blog..
Welcome back! I have been a bit absent myself from blogging and such. It’s always good to take a break.
Welcome back dear…and wow that’s looks so gud…
Hey glad to knw that yu are back .. nice yummy recipe here
Good to have you back, Indhu, and you’re right– attitude IS everything.
And a plate of that delicious-looking linguini would sure go a long way in helping lift anyone’s mood!
Welcome back Indhu ! And I second Vaishali’s comment that attitude is important and you definitely seem to have the right one
Loved the creamy linguini looks awesome….
wow! i can never the sauce to coat my pasta like this! looks delish
Good to see you back Indhu! Pasta looks soooo tempting!!
Welcome back, dear! And that’s the spirit girl! I could take a lesson or two from you
Yummy recipe too
Everyone says ponniyin selvan is great, but i just havent developed the patience to read a novel in tamil that too senthamizh probably
now, i just dont have patience for anything..that’s a different story 
am glad u r enjoying it though 
Creamy pasta looks tempting and delicious…glad to see you back Indhu..
Hi Indhu,
Please visit my blog and collect your awards.You have been tagged.
Hi,I stumbled here only recently. Not being a pasta lover, I can say the picture is too good not to love the dish. But more than that, I have this to tell you,there is no match to Kalki’s prowess. I read in the order of history all the three books starting Parthiban Kanavu. And I raed when I was in my teens. Hard not to feel for those heros. Everytime I drive from Chennai to home, I cross all the historic sites mentioned in the books and feel so good about being there. Great read isn’t it? I can read over and over again.
Lata
I am glad you are back, and with a lovely delicacy to offer….
it looks tempting
hey not to worry,we all have our dull moments .Glad to see you back in the mood to cook and blog with the superb pasta dish
Nice to see you back with an yum recipe…..looks creamy, spicy and yummy….
Something is waiting for you at my blog. Check out here:
http://teluguruchi.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-time-for-awards-and-tags.html
We love pasta of any kind, as long as its vegetarian. This linguine looks appetising.
Hi Indhu,
I’m so glad u’re back with a winner attitude 
You are doing the right things dear 
do as much humanly possible and leave the rest to God! have faith …strong faith, and draw strength from the situation. I am so proud of you for handling whatever the situation so maturely 
bravo!
love Indian authors.
You’ve always been in my thoughts
Keep the faith! and yes thanks for the tempting book review…would def. grab the English version if I get it
The pasta looks creamy and heavenly! an easy one Indhu, thanks shall keep this post in mind and give it a try sometime for sure.
Take good care of yourself, keep your spirits high!
You are in my prayers as always.
TC
Hi Indhu,
You’ve always been in my thoughts
I’m so glad u’re back with a winner attitude 
You are doing the right things dear 
do as much humanly possible and leave the rest to God! have faith …strong faith, and draw strength from the situation. I am so proud of you for handling whatever the situation so maturely 
bravo!
love Indian authors.
Keep the faith! and yes thanks for the tempting book review…would def. grab the English version if I get it
The pasta looks creamy and heavenly! an easy one Indhu, thanks shall keep this post in mind and give it a try sometime for sure.
Take good care of yourself, keep your spirits high!
You are in my prayers as always.
TC