Macaroni masala

How long it takes: 1 hour

Number of servings:  3-4

For those that might not be familiar, Macaroni is a variety of pasta made of wheat and is in the shape of small tubes. What I am using here though, which is the MTR packet, says it is made of 100% Suji. I tried at home a couple of times with a variety of veggies and masala and thought it is worth sharing. Here is Macaroni Masala, which you can think of as being similar to Masala Upma in some sense – single dry dish with vegetables and cereal amidst the spices.

What you need to have:

1. Macaroni – 2 cups

2. Chopped capsicum – 1/2 cups

3. Grated carrot – 1/4 cup

4. Greeen peas – 1 cup

                                            A pack of MTR macroni

                                   Chopped veggies and green peas

Ingredients of seasoning:

1. Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon

2. Chopped onions – 1 cup

3. Cashews – 2 tablespoons

4. Raisins – 2 tablespoons

5. Green chilli – 2-3

6. Curry leaves – 2-3 sprigs

7. Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon

8. Red chili powder – 1/2 teaspoon

9. Garam masala powder – 1 teaspoon

10. Ginger paste – 1/2 teaspoon

11. Salt – as per taste

12. Cooking oil – 2 tablespoons

                                             Ingredients of seasoning

What you do with what you have:

1. Wash, peel and grate carrots, chop capsicum and keep it aside as shown in image 2.  Also wash, peal and chop onions lengthwise and keep aside with other ingredients as shown in image 3. Cook green peas in cooker till done and keep it aside.

2. Place a wide bowl with 5-6 cups of water in it and when it is about to boil add macroni simmering the flame.  Cook till done and transfer it to a collander and run water through the tap so that it cools down and the cooked macaroni does not stick to each other.                                                               

                                            Macaroni being cooked               

                        Cooked macaroni being transfered to a collander

3. Place a wide bowl with 2-3 teaspoons of cooking oil in it on medium flame. Add cumin seeds and when it splutters add raisins, cashews and fry till done. When done add chopped green chili, ginger paste and curry leaves to it. Add chopped onions, turmeric powder and add required quantity of salt to it to fry till onion turns transparent.

                                            Seasoning in progress

4. Add grated carrots, chopped capsicum from step 1 to it and cook till done.                                                                  

                         Chopped veggies being cooked in the seasoning                                                               

                                       Cooked green peas being added

5. Add chili powder, garam masala powder, chili powder and also cooked Macroni from step 2 to it and stir well with a wooden spatula.                                                        

                                    Cooked macaroni & other powders added

Ingredients of garnishing:

1. Fresh grated coconut – 1 tablespoon (optional)

2. Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

3. Cilantro – 2 tablespoons                                                      

                                           Ingredients of garnishing

6. Finally garnish with coconut, cilantro and squeeze lemon juice to it and give a stir.                                                               

                                  Macaroni masala being garnished

7. Transfer it to a serving bowl. Enjoy with a spread of Tomato sauce.                                                              

                                        Ready to serve masala macroni

Good to remember:

1. Macaroni  should be properly cooked in water to get  an elegant taste.

2. One can add any vegetable of his/her choice.

2. Fresh grated coconut is optional.