Zucchini And Red Pepper- Pesto Pizza

“Zucchini and Red Pepper Pesto Pizza”

It was Father’s Day and kids had made plans for a Homemade Pizza for Daddy☺️ ❤️
We made a half whole wheat-half bread flour crust and topped it with Basil Pesto, zucchini & red pepper slices and cheese. 

Zucchini on pizza might sound odd... but after trying Papa Murphys Thai pizza in the past that has zucchini as a topping.... It tastes great and we like it! 
The crust came out perfectly spongy on the inside and crusty on the outside.

• Pizza Crust: ( I made it in bread machine)
Makes a 12 inch thick crust pizza

1 and 1/4 cup warm water
1.5 tbsp olive oil
3/4 tsp honey
1.5 tsp salt
1.5 cups Whole wheat flour
1.5 cups Bread flour
1 and 3/4 tsp yeast

1) Mix and Knead all ingredients into soft dough and keep in warm place for 1.5 to 2 hrs.
2) Pre heat oven to 415F
3) Spread and roll out the dough into oiled pizza pan.
4) Apply Basil pesto evenly.( I used store bought) 

5) Top with thin zucchini and red pepper slices. Season with Italian/ pizza herb seasoning, red chili flakes, black pepper and shredded cheese. 

6) Bake at 415F for 20-25 mins.
Enjoy hot out of the oven....Delishhhhhh!!! 

😋

Linguine with Artichoke hearts,Red Bell Pepper,Mushrooms and Broccoli

Atleast once a week..we have a "Pasta" meal time! Everyone at home likes Pasta and then there are so many variations that you can play with..it's always fun!!
When I first came to USA....my culinary knowledge was limited.."M" taught me how to make "Pasta". It was like---In short--- Boil Pasta, Open Garden Combination "Ragu" bottled sauce, add frozen Mix Veg....tadah...All Done!! For few years I did make my Pasta the same way!! We have so many of those empty bottles hosting other ingredients in the pantry even now!
But now....with all the culinary exposure...I have learned many different sauces and a lot of variation in Pasta making and... We hardly buy the 'Pasta sauce' anymore!

Ingredients:
(Serves about 4-6)
1/2 pkg Linguine pasta
1/2 cup  Artichoke hearts( I used canned)
1/2 cup chopped Red bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced mushroom
1/2 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes( I used canned)
3 garlic cloves minced
1/2tsp black ground pepper
1/2tsp dried basil
1tsp oregano
1/2 to 1tsp red pepper flakes (adjust spice level)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2tsp lemon juice
salt
2tbsp olive oil
Parsley/ Cilantro for garnish

Method:
1) Boil the pasta as per package directions in salted water.
2) Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the pan, saute the garlic and the veggies for few seconds.
3) Add the drained pasta, herbs, spices,salt, lemon juice and toss.
4) Just before serving, add the Parmesan cheese and toss.

 Serve hot along with a warm bowl of soup/ salad or a crunchy Garlic toast!

"The Sizzle From a Guest Kitchen"- (Guest -Ananya Joshi) - Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Hummus Crostini

It was 'House Warming" at A and A's new house and she had planned a perfect Mediterranean menu for the party! Among the appetizers was this 'Roasted Red Pepper and Roasted Garlic Hummus Crostini". The Grill toasted crunchy bread with the smooth flavorful hummus and fresh veggies on top...was just a perfect start to the Mediterranean meal!
I am not a Big Hummus person...but this hummus was so flavorful and delicious ..that anyone will go in for a second helping!!

 Recipe:
A mentioned that she got the recipe from this site and did slight modifications.
http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2011/03/recipe-for-roasted-red-pepper-and-garlic-hummus-crostini.html
Her additions:
In addition I also used siracha sauce. I garnished it with half cherry tomato and cucumber and drizzled some Mediterranean seasoning.

I loved every bite of this pretty-petite- delicious appetizer!!

Veggie Fettuccine in Lemon-Butter-Garlic sauce

Weekend went by like a breeze. "M' had taken 2 days off and we visited St.Louis along with some friends.'E' and 'A' had great fun taking a tram on the St.Louis Gateway Arch. 'E' even drew a picture of us under the Arch!! Isn't it cute:))

For dinner we had stopped at Olive Garden. I had ordered the Chicken Scampi Pasta. I loved how such a 'light' sauce can be so flavorful and had decided to give it a try as soon as I come home.

So here goes my version of a similar sauce---

 Ingredients:
1 Pkg Fettuccine Pasta
1 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup red bell pepper cut into squares
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 cup whole milk(optional)

Sauce:
4tsp butter
4tsp olive oil
2tsp Lemon juice
1tsp crushed garlic
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1tsp Italian seasoning(basil, oregano. thyme etc)
1/2tsp black ground pepper
salt

Method:
1) Boil the pasta in salted water as directed on the package.Drain and keep aside
2) Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan.Add the garlic and the veggies and saute for 1-2 mins. The veggies should remain crisp.Add the remaining seasoning to the butter and toss the pasta in.Add the milk and toss again till well heated.
3) Squeeze lemon juice on the pasta and toss.Serve Hot!!