Tamil-style Pasta Salad

Ingredients

In this Tamil-style adaptation, the Amish Pasta Salad is transformed by incorporating traditional Tamil spices and flavors. The dressing is infused with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and turmeric, giving the salad a distinct South Indian taste. Additionally, the original recipe's mayonnaise-based dressing is replaced with a tangy and spicy Tamil-style dressing, adding a zesty kick to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Amish Pasta Salad, so you can check it out.

• 250g (8.8 oz) pasta 250g (8.8 oz) pasta
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 10-12 curry leaves 10-12 curry leaves
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced 1 cucumber, diced
• Salt to taste Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3. 3.
   Add curry leaves, chopped onion, and green chilies. Sauté until the onion turns golden brown.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle turmeric powder and mix well.
5. 5.
   Add julienned carrot, diced bell pepper, and cucumber. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
6. 6.
   Season with salt to taste and mix well.
7. 7.
   Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss gently until all the ingredients are well combined.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
9. 9.
   Serve the Tamil-style Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mustard seeds — To enhance their flavor, you can dry roast the mustard seeds in a pan before adding them to the dish.
• Curry leaves — If fresh curry leaves are not available, you can use dried curry leaves, but reduce the quantity to 5-6 leaves.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice to the dressing.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on your preferences or seasonal availability.
• To make it more filling, you can add cooked chickpeas or tofu cubes to the salad.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer green chilies according to your taste.
• Make sure to rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to prevent it from sticking together.

Serving advice

Serve the Tamil-style Pasta Salad as a refreshing and vibrant main course or as a side dish alongside traditional Tamil meals. It pairs well with crispy papadums or a cooling raita.

Presentation advice

Garnish the salad with a sprinkle of freshly chopped coriander leaves to add a pop of color. Serve it in a vibrant bowl or on a decorative platter to showcase the beautiful blend of colors.