Corn and Spinach Pasta

Spinach and corn is quite a popular combination and we love it.  The freshness of spinach with the sweet corn cooked in a creamy sauce is delightful and will fill you with immense joy.

Ingredients:

For boiling pasta:

1 cup pasta (penne, macaroni or any)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp oil

For white sauce:

2 tbsp Butter  

1 tbsp Refined Flour ( maida)

4 cups Milk

3-4 cubes Processed or Parmesan Cheese (grated)

1 tsp Oregano + 1tsp Mixed herbs

½ tsp Red chilli flakes

¼ tsp Black pepper powder

Salt to taste

For sauteing vegetables:

1 tbsp Olive Oil

2-3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)

1 cup Spinach (chopped)

½ cup Sweet Corn Kernels (boiled)

Method:

For boiling pasta:

1. In a pot, bring water to boil with salt and oil.  

2  Add the pasta and cook as per instructions given on the pasta packet. Stir occasionally.  

3. Once cooked, drain the pasta.

For White Sauce:

1. Heat butter in a pan and add flour. Stir this continuously till the raw smell of flour goes away.  

3. Pour the milk little by little and stir continuously. Make sure there are no lumps formed.

4. Cook this until the mixture starts to boil.

5. After Boling for about 5-7 min, add grated cheese; mix well and let it thicken.

6. Season this with oregano, mixed herbs, red chilli flakes, pepper powder and salt. 

For Sautéing Vegetables:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and add garlic. Saute it till the raw smell goes away.

2. To this add corn kernels and saute it for 2 minutes.

3. Now add  spinach and salt. Saute this till the spinach is cooked and all the water is evaporated. 

3. Once done, add white sauce and the cooked pasta to the vegetables. Mix this gently till the pasta is coated well.

4.  Make sure to garnish this with some grated cheese before serving.

Notes:

1. You can add vegetables of your choice like broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.

2. Ensure that the colour of flour does not change while roasting it and lumps are not formed while pouring milk.

3. For a creamier taste, add 1/4 cup fresh cream.

4. Note that spinach is salty in taste by nature so make sure to add salt as required.