Lunch-break Pasta with Cajun Spiced Courgettes, Peppers & Capers
It’s been a while hasn’t it? Get anything good for Christmas? Did you have a blast of a new year’s? My good wishes go out to all and pray that you lot have had an amazing holiday thus far. We had an amazing Christmas dinner party this year and I even had my own bar to boot! The dogs went mental with the smell of roasting meat in the air. Post-Christmas was the typical – savouring the remaining leftovers, rubbing the belly and snoozing in front of the telly with a glass of wine. We celebrated New Year’s with a 2 hour high-tea buffet session and shopping with the -rents. Mum was pretty insistent on purchasing this new liquid foundation made from the waters of Mt. Fuji. Dad and I had a massive debate about department stores sapping away the hard-earned money of men vs. women supporting the economy via the beauty, cosmetics and fashion industry. Pretty random stuff.
So anyway, I think I’m still stuffed from all that Christmas and New Year’s feasting. This year, we definitely did take ‘feasting’ to the next level. Completely outdid myself and grew triplet food-babies this year. And so, still reeling from all that gastro-delight over the holiday period, I have yet to create any special funky dish. Venturing into the kitchen, really, is quite daunting. I swear I see grey shadows lingering about the pantry and often catch the D-word (‘diet!’) from the whispers floating with the wind. Everywhere is a hovering suffocating cloud of paranoia and hesitation. Even the food fanatic I take after, my dad, was vehement about not over-eating after New Year’s. I can safely say everyone is still in shock, myself included.
This pasta dish is one I made a few days before Christmas. Something light and quick to prepare, low on the budget, and quick to eat so as to return to whatever important stuff you’re working on. (To fully enjoy Christmas and then New Year’s, I was quite determined to finish all my essays before then. Now that it’s all been celebrated and past, I regret to say I’ve still got 1 essay left. The biggest pain in the arse, to be more specific.) Indeed, this was an easy-peasy lunch for three that didn’t take me away from my essays for long. The capers and yellow peppers in this really make the dish. Nothing like capers to give me a great big zing! to keep me awake all through the afternoon.
Lunch-break Pasta with Cajun Spiced Courgettes, Peppers & Capers
Ingredients
- 3 servings dry penne pasta
about 3/4 – 1 courgette, chopped
1/2 a large yellow pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp capers
1 tsp cajun spice blend
2 heaped tbs sundried tomato pesto
sprinkle of dried parsley or chopped fresh parsley
sea salt, cooking and seasoning
freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning
grated parmesan, for garnishing
Cook pasta in boiling water.
In a frying pan, sauté the garlic with cajun spice blend. On medium heat, add the prepared courgettes and peppers. Cook til courgettes start to lightly brown.
Once pasta is cooked til al dente, add to the frying pan. Add the sundried tomato pesto, capers and stir altogether. Pasta should be evenly coated with pesto. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with grated parmesan.
January 5th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Students indeed sail on the winds of pasta dishes. Where would we be were it not for durum semolina, one pot meals and tomatoes?
January 5th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Ooh, you had me at sun-dried tomato pesto. Happy new year Diva! Might I suggest military-style jogs around some track oval in the freezing cold to help out with the ‘D’ word as well?
January 5th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
amanda: you totally nailed it! i couldn’t have described it any better..oh yes, maybe just the addition of cheese. can’t live without that.
manggy: thank you. same to you! yea..that’s pretty much the way forward isn’t it? but i’ll probably pass. it’s way too sludgy here.
xx
January 5th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Hmmm…what is a courgette? Looks something like zucchini.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
You should come over and make this for me tomorrow for lunch! Looks yummy!
January 6th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Happy new year, Diva. I’m flirting with the D word too, although I’m pretty sure the relationship won’t last (I had a cinnamon raisin bagel for brekkie!).
January 6th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I’m comin’ over to share lunch with you…LOVE the flavours.YUM!
January 6th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
tigerfish: spot on! in england, it’s called a courgette; in america, it becomes a zucchini.
clumbsycookie: i could say the same for the yummy masterpieces you make too! wish we could travel through computer screens. it would be amazing!
Dee: happy new year to you too!
i know. relationships like this one are damned to fail – always.
Deeba: ooooh! we can have a little tea party. thanks deeba. hope you’re well
your christmas cookies were a hit!
xx
January 7th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Sounds like your holidays were really nice. The pasta sounds both healthy and tasty!
January 7th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Looks great! After the eating I’ve been doing I know I need to take a break, but I can’t quite seem to get off this meat kick I’ve been on.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Good luck with your last essay!
I love the warm comforting colours in this dish. Great job.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
kevin: thank you. indeed they were! hope you enjoyed yourself thoroughly over the hols as well.
marc@ Norecipes: oh. i’m kinda a little off meat. all that feasting has made everything a little lumpy bumpy, if u get my drift!
Dragon: thank you! i am about to start on my final piece today. hope it goes well.
xx
January 14th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Diva, My Holidays were pretty good. This pasta dish looks great. I love using grated Parmesan on salads and such. Very nice and colorful photo.
January 15th, 2009 at 12:51 am
This looks like a delicious lunch! It’s bursting with color, and you photographed it beautifully.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Bobby:thanks for stopping by! great to hear the holidays went well.
i agree. some people can’t stand the smell of parmesan but i love it. smell and taste! plus it goes so well with anything.
Emily: thank you honey!
it was a particularly bright and sunny day for photo-taking.
xx
January 16th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Happy New Year! Great looking pasta dish. Love the cajun spices.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am
syrie: thank you! i hope u had a fab new year’s too
xx
January 16th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
If this is your lunch, then my lunch is like eating dirt. What a great, bountiful lunch.
Happy New Year, darling Diva!