Crazy Pasta bake

Today was one of the few instances when I cooked a dish based on my instincts rather than follow a recipe… which is not to say I didn’t google around before launching into the project – a short one may I add (under 30 minutes). Given how cold the day  was, my tummy and soul were both in need of instant gratification- well something warm and hearty definitely. However, embarking on a laborious meal was not an option, so I settled for a pasta bake instead. I had a can of cream of chicken soup in my cupboard, and mushrooms; frozen veggies and lots of cheese in the fridge. I gathered the above and few other ingredients, cooked it all up and what happened next was this.

Meditative cuisine

Risotto with sundried tomatoes and bacon

Whilst I love Italian food, risotto is  something I haven’t been able to enjoy, ever (a hyperbole since I have had this  dish 3 or maybe 4 times in my 30 years). The first time I had it I had to contend with a gooey mass of cheese and rice, which honestly looked like sick on a plate. A few years later, I overcame my revulsion and gave this Italian classic another shot- had to.  A dear dear friend had made it for lunch at her place and I am nothing if not supportive of my friends’ endeavours. Even if it meant gulping down stuff I wouldn’t normally eat. However, sampling her risotto did some good.

Smokey scrambled goodness

Simple, scrumptious breakfast

Sunny silly lazy Saturday

Smoked salmon, scrambled eggs on toast

Simple pleasures

Sigh…

Quick fix dosa

Dosa in a jiffy

The husband’s been pining for a dosa for a while now. At other times we would leg it to East Ham for some proper madrasi fare but this particular evening we were in neither the mood nor the shape for the excursion, what with me still recovering from a nasty flu and him too lazy to move after an exceptionally long day at work.

This was a good time to invoke the god of quick fix food- Mr Oliver of the 30-minute meals fame. A few weeks before I had chanced upon (yet another) of his simple recipes on one of his new shows- it was for a speedy dosa.  He promised that it would taste close to the real thing; I was tempted to try.

Brownies!

I finally roused myself after a week-long sickness and helped myself to some chocolatey goodness. After a week of soups and salads, I was of the firm opinion that I deserved a break. I decided to bake myself (and others) some brownies. All it took was half-an-hour to whip up these bad boys. One  bite and I was on the road to recovery. OK so I exaggerate.