Tuna and Veggie Spagetti

OK.. Still in the mood for spaghetti. Thanks to Masak Bareng Yuuk! Pasta Edition... Well... I still have quite a stock of Spaghetti so why not. The day I made this was I was busy studying for one of my quiz day. Then I realized it was already past lunch time. I went to the kitchen and realized I forgot to cook my rice this morning aaaaaand I ran out of bread. Fruits were not really my options... I am tired and hungry. I want something filling, satisfying and quick. I reached for the spaghetti and decided to throw a cheat-bolognesse (a.k.a  the instant packets) but alas! it was also gone....

So I decided to make do with what ever I have. I quickly round up everything I think can work when I saw the canned tuna... AHA! this might work.... we shall see...

Honestly... it taste divine and takes only 10 minutes... well OK 15 mins to make and serve

To serve 1 (2 portions)

Ingredients:
1 handful of spaghetti -use any other pasta shape you want... it doesn't matter I think.
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp salt
1 medium garlic, crushed then finely chopped
2 tbsp Onion, chopped
1 small carrot - Diced small
4 cherry tomatoes - cut to quaters
2 tbsp salted butter
1 tsp ground white pepper
a bunch of flat leaves parsley - chopped
2 tbsp Canned tuna - drained from the oil or water or brine and flaked

Directions:

1. Boil water in a pan for the spaghetti. 
2. Meanwhile, prepare the carrot, tomatoes, parsley and tuna
3. When the water boils, add the salt and olive oil then bring the spaghetti in. I break the long spaghetti in half before putting them in boil water. 
4. Then heat the butter on a separate pan / wok, add the Onion and garlic. Saute until soft and fragrant
5. Bring the carrot in... followed by tomatoes add the ground white pepper. I do not add anymore salt because the butter is already salty. Let it cook for a while. I like my tomatoes to be slightly wilted to retain the warm fresh taste of tomatoes.
6. The spaghetti usually need about 7 - 8 minutes to be Al-dente (my husband taught me this)... or get a piece of the spaghetti and throw to the wall... if it sticks it's done... or... my way... pinch the spaghetti... it is the level of tenderness I want... then it is done
7. Drain the spaghetti and bring back to its pan . Add the sauteed carrot and tomatoes in the pan together with the cooked spaghetti. 
8. Mix together. Add the chooped parsley then the flaked canned tuna..
9. All is good and ready to serve!

This will also be my entry to Masak Bareng Yuuk! (Let's Cook Together) Sept-Oct Edition on Pasta!!!

Entry requirement in English click here

Simple Vegetable Stir Fry

You know when you walk in to the stores and you see all kinds of stir-fry sauces in packets. I can't see why making so much fuss when the basic simple stir-fry is a matter of one two three. Here's a basic recipe you can build up and add up any other meat, veg or ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Onion, chopped
• 2 garlic, crushed
• 1 cm  finger
• Salt and ground white Pepper
• 1/2 Stock cube (optional)
• 3 tbsp vegetable cooking oil 
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• A handful of Broccoli 
• A handful of whatever meat (chicken, Beef, sausage etc) or meat substitute you like (tofu, egg etc)
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Heat cooking oil. Bring in Onion, garlic and ginger. Sautee until fragrant and soft
2. Add the meat or meat substitutes... let them cooked.. add half water to cook them. 
3. Add the carrot and brocolli, add the rest of the water and the stock cube
4. Seasoned with salt and ground white pepper
5. Final taste... ready to serve. ----

Semur Ayam // Braised Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce

OK... semur ayam or Braised Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce is the next simple cooking. all you need to have are... of course Chicken... hehehe... good Sweet soy sauce (just go to Asian Store) and Nutmeg. You can use the ground nutmeg in those small bottles but I prefer whole nutmeg that I crushed or grated... the smell and taste is much more fantastic. Reminds me so much of home, Ambon Island, Maluku Province, The Spice Island... OK... Here's the recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 Chicken Wings - simply because it was cheap and also Tastier
• 1/4 medium Onion, chopped 
• 2 Garlics, Crushed and finely chopped
• 1/2 Nutmeg, Crushed
• 1/4 cup of Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce 
• 1/2 Stock cube, 
• Salt and ground white pepper
• 2 tbsp juice of lemon juice
• 3 tbsp Vegetable cooking Oil

Directions:

1. Heat the oil. Bring in the Onion and garlic. Sautee until soft and fragrant
2. Add the Soy sauce and Nutmeg. Then stock cubes, salt and pepper.
3. Put in the Chicken wings. Coat the chicken with the soy sauce evenly. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes. 
4. After 5 minutes add the lemon juice and if the chicken is not properly cook.. add about 1/4 cup of water. 
5. Give it for final taste... then ready to serve. --

For me, it is best served with hot white rice and simple stir-fry

Quick and Easy Spagheti Bolognesse

First of all I wanted to say that... it is OK to use those Packets of bolognesse sauce... they make life much easier, don't they? As for me I have a bit of time while taking  a break from my readings and fix myself a nice solo lunch. Below recipe might not be the authentic bolognesse recipe but it is good enough for me.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 Onion, finely chopped 
• 1 Garlic, Crushed
• 1 cup Diced Chicken, You can use left overs or any other meat you like... Usually it is with Mince meat.
• 1 carrot, diced small
• 1/2 cup tomato paste, I use the Indonesian Tomato Ketchup
• 4 Cherry Tomatoes, diced small
• 1 tbsp Basil, the dried one
•  Salt and pepper to taste
•  A handful of Grated Cheddar Cheese to sprinkle
• A handful of Spaghetti

Directions:

1.  Heat butter then add Chopped Onion and Garlic. Sautee until soft and fragrant
2. Add the chicken and carrot
3. Add the diced cherry tomatoes and tomato paste 
4. Then add basil salt and pepper
5. Add a bit of water to let the carrot and chicken cooked through
6. Final taste and its done. I usually add a dash of sugar to enhance the flavor.

On a separate Pan, boil water about 3 cups. When it is boiled add the spaghetti.Timed it for 7 minutes... usually that is the time when the Spaghetti is Al-dente... cooked and firm and not mushy.
Strain the cooked spaghetti then add it to the sauce. Stir together that bolognesse sauce coats the spaghetti entirely.

Serve on a plate. Sprinkle the grated cheese... Enjoy

------ This will also be my entry for Masak Bareng Yuuk! September - OCtober Edition on PASTA!!!