Salsa Cruda Bruschetta

We had been to Houlihan's in Weehawken, NJ last Saturday. Though it was not the first time in that restaurant, it was first in that area. It was long time since we had been to Houlihan's and my husband was longing to eat their Veggie Burger.

We have a few options there for vegetarian entrees. In particular, we like the veggie club sandwich and the Burger with a green peas patty. This time we ordered Salsa Cruda Bruschetta for appetizer course. I was simply mesmerized by its taste. It felt like I didn't want to eat anything else for my entire lifetime. Yes, it was that great. So if my attempt to recreate this Bruschetta is even 10% close, then I would consider myself successful.

Salsa, simply put is tomato sauce. But it is somehow extended to include anything which has more tomatoes. Salsa can be cooked or raw. Uncooked salsa is known as Salsa Cruda. Anyways I found this page very interesting to understand different types of salsa.

I have used garlic infused butter instead of using garlic directly since I don't like to get garlic pieces in my mouth. Also used is vegetable cream cheese spread. You can use any type of cream cheese, in case you can't find it, you can add cheese while toasting bread to melt it directly on bread.

Serves: 2-3

Preparation Time: 10 mins prep time + 10 mins baking time + 10 mins for assembling

Ingredients:

• 1 French Baguette bread slit into half and cut into approximately 8 inch pieces
• 1/4 stick of butter or 1/4 cup of butter
• 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 3 firm tomatoes finely chopped
• 1/2 onion finely chopped
• 8 to 10 basil leaves shredded
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt as needed
• Black pepper powder as needed
• 3 wedges of cream cheese spread
• Grated parmesan for garnishing

Method:

• In a sauce pan add garlic and butter and let it melt . Once melt switch off the stove.
• Using a brush, rub the garlic butter on top of the baguette pieces evenly.
• Bake them in a conventional oven at 425K for 10 mins or until they crisp up.
• In a mixing bowl add chopped onions, tomatoes basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix it together gently folding in to make salsa.
• Once the bread has toasted spread the cream cheese on top of each bread.
• Add the salsa prepared on top of each bread.
• Sprinkle parmesan on top and serve.

Marinara Elbow Pasta

So today was part 2 of my birthday gift,  I got dry fruits. Thank you again Maina and Amma. The lady at the lobby has started wondering how do I get packages every day :). It feels like Christmas in April.

After Indian, my favorite cuisine is Italian and then comes Mediterranean, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Sri Lankan etc in that order. For vegetarians, one of the sources of protein is cheese. And in correct quantities, it is really healthy. Most of Italian foods use cheese. There are numerous cheese available in market. I have used Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan, Swiss, Feta and Goat cheese. My favorite is Mozzarella of course since it can be added to anything and is low fat compared to others.

For this recipe I have used store bought Marinara sauce. It can be made at home - boil 3/4 cup of tomato sauce, 2 cups boiled and pureed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper powder, 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 boiled and purred carrots and 1 onion boiled and pureed, in a big sauce pan for at least 30 mins and let it cool before using for pasta.

Serves: 2

Preparation Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup any pasta ( I used whole wheat elbow pasta)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/4 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp italian herb blend (optional)
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bell pepper sliced length wise (any color)
• 1 onion sliced length wise
• Salt as needed 
• 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp powdered parmesan cheese

Method:

• Boil water in a big container and add pasta and cook it according to the instructions on the package. Different pastas take different time to cook.
• Drain the water and keep the pasta aside.
• In a pan, add oil and let it heat.
• Once hot add onions and fry till translucent.
• Then add the bell pepper and fry for 5 mins.
• Now add the marinara sauce and black pepper powder and cook for 5 mins. 
• To this add basil, italian herbs and oregano.
• Add cheddar and stir the sauce.
• Add the cooked pasta and add salt as needed.
• Switch off the stove, transfer the contents of pan to a serving bowl and decorate with parmesan on top. Enjoy hot.