Pasta Salad

The pasta salad is easy to make, fresh, flavorful, filling as well as healthy. Being a cold salad it is an excellent compliment to the Southern California summer heat. These days it also fits into our summer dishes very well.No. of Servings: 3-4Preparation Time: 15 minsIngredients:For salad:½ cup Wheat Pasta½ Yellow Bell Pepper½ Red Bell Pepper½ Green Bell Pepper¼ cup Cherry Tomatoes1 Carrot4 Spring Onions2/3 cup Lettuce½ Jalapeno (optional)¼ cup Boiled Broccoli5-6 Pitted Olives slicedFor Dressing:1 tbsp Olive oil6 tbsp Vinegar1 tbsp fresh chopped Parley1 tsp fresh chopped Basil 1 tsp dried Oregano½ tsp Italian Seasoning½ tsp Garlic pasteSalt & pepper to tasteMethod :Boil Pasta & let it coolMix all the ingredients of dressing & keep asideCut all Veggies in bite sizeMix veggies & PastaAdd in the dressing & tossKeep it in refrigerator for half atleast ½ hours and let it marinateServe Cold

Mint Coriander Chutney

This chutney is an awesome dip as well as accompaniment to many Indian dishes and chaats. It is a little spicy dip with flavor of mint.Preparation Time: 10 minsIngredients :1 bunch Coriander leaves½ bunch of Mint leaves (half the quantity of coriander)1 inch Ginger3 Green Chilies or Jalapenos½ Onion½ tsp sugar (optional)1 tsp lemon juiceSalt to tasteMethod:Coarsely chop coriander, mint leaves, ginger & green chilies Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and grind themIf needed add very small quantity of water (as required) to make a smooth paste.Use as and when required.Tips/Variations:The spiciness can be adjusted to one’s taste.This chutney can be refrigerated for a week and can also be kept frozen upto a month

Curd Dressing

Preparation Time : 5 mins

Ingredients :
¼ cup Beaten Fat free yogurt
¼ tsp Mustard sauce
¼ tsp Chat masala
¼ tsp Roasted cumin seeds powder
Salt to taste