Date:08/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/12/08/stories/2002120800640700.htm
Back



Macaroni wonders


MACARONI is a pasta of wheat flour in the form of hollow tubes or other shapes, dried, and prepared for eating by boiling. It is derived from the Greek word makaria, or food made from barley. Here are a few recipes for you to enjoy.

Macaroni soups

  • Ingredients:

    Cooked macaroni 1 cup
    Tomato puree 1 tbsp
    Finely grated onion 1 tbsp
    Cornflour 1 tbsp
    Vegetable stock cube 1
    Butter 1 tbsp
    Pepper powder and salt to taste

  • Method:

    Heat the butter in a saucepan and fry the onion to a light brown. Then add the puree and the cornflour paste. Fry for a minute. Now mix in the macaroni and the cube. Pour in three cups of water and simmer for a few minutes. Add the pepper and salt. Serve hot.

    * * *

    Macaroni fry

  • Ingredients:

    Cooked macaroni 2 cups
    Gram flour ½ cup
    Rice flour ¼ cup
    Chilli powder 1 tbsp
    Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
    Green coriander paste 1 tbsp
    Ginger garlic paste
    Salt to taste
    Oil for deep frying

  • Method:

    Put the gram flour, rice flour, turmeric, chilli coriander paste and a little ginger garlic paste in a mixing bowl. Add just enough water to make a batter of a dipping consistency. Add the salt to taste. Now mix in the macaroni and stir gently. Heat the oil in a kadai and deep fry the macaroni in teaspoonsfuls till a golden brown. Drain and then serve with tomato sauce.

    * * *

    Macaroni bake

  • Ingredients:

    Cooked macaroni 2 cups
    Grated cheese 1 cup
    Cooked potato mash 1½ cups
    Milk 1 cup
    Butter 1 tbsp
    Cornflour 1 tbsp
    Pepper powder and salt to taste

  • Method:

    Heat the milk in a saucepan and then add the cornflour. Simmer till slightly thick. Remove and then mix in the macaroni, half the grated cheese, pepper and salt. Lightly butter a baking dish. Layer half of the macaroni mixture in it. Add the remaining cheese to the potato. Pat half of the potato and cheese mixture on top of the macaroni. Then layer the remaining macaroni mixture on top of the potato mash. Finally, top the macaroni with the remaining mash. Smoothen slightly. Put little blobs of butter on the top. Bake in a moderately hot oven till the top is bubbly and slightly brown. Serve hot or cold.

    * * *

    Macaroni omelette

  • Ingredients:

    Cooked macaroni 2 cups
    Eggs 4
    Tomato pulp 2 tbsps
    Finely cut green chillies 2
    Finely chopped onion 2 tbsps
    Milk ¼ cup
    Cornflour 1 tbsp
    Pepper powder and salt to taste
    Butter for shallow frying

  • Method:

    Beat the eggs well and place in a mixing bowl. Mix in the macaroni, tomato pulp, onion, chillies, cornflour, milk, pepper and salt. Mix thoroughly. Heat a non-stick skillet with a little butter. Pour a cupful of the prepared macaroni batter on the skillet. Twirl slightly and remove when slightly brown. Roll into an omelette and place on a serving plate. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve hot with plenty of tomato ketchup.

    * * *

    Macaroni fruit salad

  • Ingredients:

    Cooked macaroni 1½ cups
    Seedless grapes 2 tbsps
    Small pineapple pieces 2 tbsps
    Cut up orange segments 2 tbsps
    Papaya pieces 2 tbsps
    Sugar to taste
    Thick cream ½ cup
    Ice cream essence ¼ tsp

  • Method:

    In a mixing bowl, put in the macaroni. Then add the fruit pieces, cream and the essence. Add the sugar to taste. Mix gently and refrigerate till serving time.

    FIFIE MENDONCA

    © Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu