The Veggie Indian: Broccoli Pasta in Mascarpone Sauce... Utterly Delicious

I am not one to skimp on rich/fried foods, love it all. I don't believe in deprivation and certainly love indulgence - though in moderation. Cant think of eating that way on all the 7 days of the week. 2 days of fried and a little luxurious foods? No issues - make it up by way of expending them more by way of working out or doing more physical work and eating sensibly the remaining 4 days. I know I know, not that easy.. Even get on to me many times.. Well, This pasta is in the middle of it - Not your typical "health" food but not a sinful fiesta either. Just an indulgence which won't make me guilty. And the best part is - yes, haven't come to that part yet - is the time it takes to make this and the effort involved. Its a joke! Extremely easy to put together with minimal ingredients. Play around with the recipe as per your palate - its very versatile.

I personally think Mascarpone Cheese and Pasta are pair made in heaven! Just 1 tbsp added to pasta makes it mindbogglingly delicious! To enhance the nutritive value of this recipe, I have added Broccoli to it along with a little of pine nuts for that extra crunch. It was all an experiment but rendered awesome results. Off course, Whole wheat Pasta offered a great contribution in making this a healthy recipe and my guilt of having Cheese was overcome :)

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat Pasta , boiled according to the Packet instructions.

For the Sauce

1 can of organic crushed tomatoes

few garlic cloves

1 onion

fresh basil, handful chopped

three big tablespoons of mascarpone cheese

salt & pepper

1 tbsp Fresh Cream

1/2 cup grated Broccoli

1 tbsp Butter

For Garnish

1 tsp Pine nuts

1 tbsp grated Parmesan Cheese

Method:

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta. Reserve at least a cup of the pasta cooking water. The starch from the pasta in the water will help thicken your sauce.

In the same pot, over medium heat, melt the tablespoon of butter.

Chop the garlic cloves very finely. Add the garlic to the melted butter and cook about 3 minutes until soft but not brown. Add the chopped Onion and suate till brown.

Add the basil leaves and tomatoes and cook covered for next 2-3 minutes, stirring in between to avoid sticking. Combine grated Broccoli and cook for next 2-3 min.

Next, pour in mascarpone Cheese and the cream, stirring frequently until smooth. Add the pasta water a little at a time until you have the desired thickness of the sauce.