Tag: Italian Fusion

Sapna1 Comment

Couscous Arancini

I first learned what arancini is when I was watching Giada on Food Network.  Man they looked delicious.  Rice and cheese mixed together, battered, and fried.  I don’t think you can go wrong.  I love the salty and creamy and cheesy combination.  Oh I can go on and on!

Well, seeing it on tv and actually trying them are two different things.  The first time I tried it was on a date with the husband.  Oh.My.God!  All I wanted was to eat these delicious arancini for every course!  Seeing them on tv, then actually eating them are two different things, and I’ll tell you what.  Eating is absolutely much better for this case!

I’ve made quite a few attempts over the years to make these.  Initially, they melted as I was trying to fry them.  Then the seasoning was off, and each try I missed something until finally, I was able to make a delicious batch!  I’m so glad this was one project I didn’t abandon!

About a month ago, we had leftover pearl couscous (it seems we always do).  I wanted to upcycle it and have the girls eat it in a different way and instantly I thought of arancini.  It was a long shot but in my mind, I thought, hey, a leftover grain that could potentially bind with cheese.  All I had to do was season it correctly.   Results?  The kids want me to make this for them everyday!  Let’s not get carried away though.  I did make quite a few and had to really work on distracting the girls with other foods because they are just as in love with arancini as I am!

Try these out for appetizers, make them a little larger and have them for a main course, make them bite sized and serve them for parties.  I served them with warm marinara sauce and a sprinkle of chopped basil and for me, that was the perfect pairing.

From my kitchen to yours, I hope you enjoy these decadent Couscous Arancini!

Here are the tools I used to make this recipe:

Sapna4 Comments

15 minute Masala Pasta

*This is an ad post.

All I can say is that things are getting crazier!  My first born is starting Kindergarten tomorrow and though it’s going to be different because she’s going to be upstairs in her room instead of at a new school with new friends, I’m still an emotional wreck!  I just can’t believe she’s grown so much!  Where’s my baby that I brought home from the hospital?  I have a 5 year old now!
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Let’s talk food so I don’t have to think about that… for now.  This dish actually does take 15 minutes to make.  No joke.  How?  Because I use Taste Republic‘s gluten free, fresh fusili pasta.  The more I try their fresh pastas, the more I’m loving them.  So far, the cauliflower linguini, tortellini, and now the fusili have been on point!  Even better, because it is fresh pasta, it takes 3 minutes to cook!
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Once upon a time, the girls would eat nothing but red sauce with their pasta.  Then it went to green (pesto).  Then brown butter.  We are now back to the red sauce which I am thankful for because this masala pasta uses marinara sauce combined with spices to give it an Indian twist.
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Here are some ingredients that are key to this pasta:

Taste Republic Gluten Free Fusili – fresh pasta that is great with taste and time!
Frozen Mixed Vegetables – this is my first hack to make this dish in under 15 minutes.
Favorite Marinara Sauce – I use whatever jar I have opened in my fridge and it works perfect
Indian spices: cayenne pepper, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder – this give the pasta additional depth of flavor. Add just enough to give it a hint not take over the dish!

This fusion dish is amazing because of the mix of flavors and how quickly you can put it together.  Try it out and bring a little of India and a little of Italy to your home.
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From our kitchen to yours, I hope you enjoy this 15 Minute Masala Pasta!