Penne in white sauce

I love pasta... there is no time of the day when I'll say no to pasta and a glass of wine. I'm sharing my favorite recipe today, which is also quite popular among my friends. It is a secret weapon i use to establish my reputation as a cook. So here goes...

You'll need:
Penne pasta - 100 gms
Mixed vegetables - 1 cup (peas, broccoli, carrot, corn, mushroom)
Cheese - 6 cubes (use amul/ britannia cheese cubes)
Oregano - 1 tsp (you can also use the leftover seasoning seasoning from any pizza place)
Chilli flakes - 1 tsp
Milk - 1 cup (slightly warm)
Flour - 1 tsp ( you can use wheat flour or maida)
onion - 1 small - grated or ground to a paste
Black pepper - 1 tsp
Butter - 3 tbsp
Salt to taste

How to:
Add some salt to a pan full of water and heat. Once it starts boiling add the pasta to it and cook for 10 minutes or till soft. Drain the water and keep the cooked penne in a pan of iced water.

Blanch the vegetables (except mushrooms) for 2 minutes in boiling water and keep aside.

Heat butter, preferably in a non-stick pan. Add the grated onion and saute till transparent. Add the flour and cook for a minute stirring continuously. Remove from flame and cool a bit. Add milk while stirring the mixture to avoid any lumps. If lumps form just strain the sauce to remove them. Put on medium flame and cook till the sauce starts to thicken. Add some more milk if needed. Add the cheese and stir continuously till it dissolves.

Add all the remaining ingredients including Penne and vegetables and simmer for 2 minutes. Ready to eat.

Spaghetti in tomato base

This is one of my experiments that turned out awesome.. even if i say so myself.. so couldn't resist posting it.

Spaghetti - half a pack (more like a big fistful)
Olive and tomato paste - 3tbsp (its ready made, pick any brand)

Tomato ketchup - 2tbsp

Red and yellow bell peppers - half of each chopped into cubes

Onions - 2 big (chop one finely and other into rounds)

Garlic - 3-4 cloves crushed (or vary this amount as per your taste)

Crushed red chillies or chilly flakes - 1 tbsp (or reduce if you want less spicy)

Olive oil - 2tbsp

Oregano - 1 tsp (or use one sachet of domino's or pizza hut seasoning)

Salt to taste

Red chilly powder - to taste

Take a big pan and fill half with water. Bring to a boil. Add spaghetti without breaking the strands. As the noodles soften they will sink in the water. Boil for 10 minutes or until soft. Drain and put in ice cold water.

Heat olive oil in a pan. Add onions and saute till translucent. Add garlic and bell peppers. Add everything except spaghetti and cook till the oil leaves sides. Add spaghetti and toss lightly.

Ready to eat with hot garlic bread :D