Macaroni & Veggies in Bechamel Sauce ~ An Ambrosial Delight!

Prep Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 40 min
Serves: 3 to 4

Ingredients
For macaroni

1. Macaroni - 1 pkt
2. Salt - 2 tsp
3. Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp
4. Water - 10 cups water
5. Olive oil (to toss cooked pasta) - 2 tsp
6. Snapin Herb blend Mix - as reqd
7. Snapin Basil - as reqd

For veggies

1. Onion (finely sliced) - 1 large sized
2. Button mushrooms (finely sliced) - 15 no's
3. Carrot (sliced to thin strips) - 1 medium sized
4. Capsicum (sliced to thin strips) - 1 medium sized
5. Corn kernels - 1/4 cup
6. Green peas - 1/4 cup

For seasoning

1. Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
2. Garlic (finely chopped) - 1 tbsp
3. Snapin Herb blend mix - as reqd
4. Snapin Oregano - as reqd
5. Snapin Rosemary - as reqd
6. Snapin Basil - as reqd
7. Red chilly flakes (or) Black pepper powder - as reqd
8. Salt - to taste

For garnishing

1. Mint leaves - 1 tbsp

Method to cook macaroni

1. Boil 10 cups water in a large pot / large saucepan.
2. Add two teaspoons salt and one tablespoon vegetable oil.
3. Add macaroni & cook until al dente for about 5 to 7 min stirring occasionally in order to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
4. Drain & toss in two teaspoons of olive oil along with crushed herb blend mix and basil; set aside.

Method to cook veggies

1. Heat vegetable oil in wok on low flame for a min, add finely chopped garlic & saute for a min or two.
2. Do not brown or char the garlic; saute in low flame for a min or two just for the infusion of flavor.
3. Add finely sliced onion & saute until translucent.
4. Add rest of the veggies & saute for about 3 to 4 min in high flame.
5. Crush herbs one by one in between your palms & then add to the veggies; this helps in releasing fresh flavor from the dried herbs.
6. Add salt, black pepper powder or red chilly flakes & mix well.
7. Cover & cook for another 3 to 4 min in low flame.
8. The vegetables should be partially cooked in order to retain their crunch.
9. Once done switch off gas & empty contents to a serving bowl.

Method to prepare macaroni delight

1. Serve few scoops of tossed macaroni in a serving plate.
2. Top it up with hot Bechamel sauce.
3. Garnish with few mint leaves.

E...N...J...O...Y the Delight!!

Do post your comments!

NOTE

• Cooking time varies with each variety of pasta; refer pack for details.
• Use only a non stick pan to prepare the sauce to keep a check on the color of the sauce.