SPAGHETTI IN SOYABALL SAUCE

Pasta is an ingredient which is always available in my kitchen. Although I have quite recently (4 years now) started making pasta , I immensely enjoy it. A little effort that can bring total satisfaction :)  .  In the beginning I could never imagine pasta without cheese.....my pasta would be hidden under the blanket of cheese...but since a year I have moved out to different lighter alternatives. Every time a new variation that brings a smile and now I feel cheese is not so important after all :)                                                                                         pic from NYDailyNews The first time I had seen the dish "Spaghetti in Meatball sauce" was some 5-6 years back in a Disney movie---remember 'Lady and the Tramp'.....so cute ..... :D .  Of course at that time I didn't know anything about the dish, I learned about it from some cookery show a few years back and have been thinking of trying it but I was a bit hesitant cause I was not sure of the Pasta and tomato sauce combination.....was doubtful about my liking , and I am strictly against waste food :) . However 2 weeks earlier all the cookery show I saw made the various versions of "Spaghetti in Meatball sauce" and you can say that brought back all the hidden desires, finally this Monday I decided to create my own version of the same dish.  Monday is the only day that I become a total vegetarian......no not even eggs. I know its very weird that I decided to make this pasta dish on my veggie day :) .....but cooking comes to me like a craze... the moment I decide to make something I have to make it instantly else I get so restless....hehehe...!!!!! :) . Anyhow, I had to try this pasta dish on Monday itself, so I substituted meat for soya chunks....Although I still don't know how "Spaghetti in Meatball sauce" tastes I can assure you "Spaghetti in Soyaball sauce" did taste good too :D .

FOR SPAGHETTI
Spaghetti pasta	1/4 a packet
Chopped garlic clove	2 number
Salt	As per taste
Oil	1 tablespoon

FOR SOYABALLS
Soya chunks	2 cups
Breadcrumbs	1 cup
Dried Parsley	1 tablespoon
Chilly Flakes	1 tablespoon
Milk	1/4 cup (max)
Salt	As per taste
Oil	2-3 tablespoons

FOR SAUCE
Red Onion	1 number
Garlic cloves	3 numbers
Tomatoes	1 number
Tomato puree	1/2 packet
Dried Basil	1 tablespoon
Cayenne Powder	1/2 tablespoon
Sugar	A pinch
Salt	As per taste
Oil	1 tablespoons

  SOYABALLS:-

1. Soak the soya chunks in cold water for about 15 or till they soften.
2. Squeeze the water out off the soften soya chunks and place it in a big bowl. No water should be left in the chunks
3. Add the breadcrumbs,dried parsley, chilly flakes and salt to the soya chunk and mix it. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time till the mixture can hold its shape.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the soyaballs till they turn golden brown on all sides.
5. Remove the balls from the pan and keep it warm so that it maintains its crunchiness. 

  SAUCE:-

1. Chop the onion and tomatoes very finely and mince the garlic cloves. 
2. Heat oil in the same pan used for frying the soyaballs, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Fry the onion till it turns translucent. 
3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and fry it for 3 min. Add salt and sugar to it and let it cook.
4. When the tomatoes are partially cooked, add  cayenne pepper powder and dried basil stir in and let it cook for 2 min.
5. Then add the tomato puree and water and let the sauce cook for a while. 
6. Finally add the fried soyaballs to the pan. Let the simmer for 15 min in low heat.

      SPAGHETTI & ASSEMBLING:-

1. Start the spaghetti preparation when the sauce in simmering so that everything is ready in time. 
2. Boil water in a large pan and add the spaghetti pasta with salt and a bit of oil. And let it cook till the pasta soften. 
3. Drain out the pasta and let it run under cold water for a min.
4. Heat oil in a wok ,add the garlic cloves and fry the cloves till it turns golden brown.
5. Add the spaghetti to the wok and stir slightly and salt and stir again for 1 min.
6. Remove the spaghetti in a plate and top it with the soyaball sauce.

                   

The hint of the golden garlic adds to the taste...It turned out to be a good veggie dinner idea :)