HUGS FOR BARBARA…Comfort pasta
Read at Susan’s the other day that brave Barbara of Winos and Foodies who was winning her battle with cancer, & had been clear for 2 years, has had to go back for chemotherapy as her cancer has resurfaced. Many of us know Barbara through her ‘Taste of Yellow’ cancer awareness event that she has held for the past couple of years. 
Now 2 of her friends, Bron of Bron Marshall and Ilva of Lucullian Delights, have organized a secret blog event for Barbara so that we might all give her a “big virtual hug,” to cheer he up, & also post some recipes that she might enjoy now.
I am sending in this vegetarian pasta bake with Barbara in my thoughts…it has an ‘anti-oxidant rich’ home-made tomato sauce, & a load of healthy seasonal veggies – I put in broccoli, cauliflower, carrots & beans. 
The recipe belongs to my friend Uliana, a very talented Ukrainian girl, who made this for my daughter when she fell ill in Sydney last month. A very, very comforting pasta which I hope Barbara will enjoy. We all enjoyed it immensely. 
It’s low fat & vegetarian. I made it back home the other day, & really like the recipe for it’s simplicity, & for the burst of flavour the sauce lends to the vegetables. Interestingly, the vegetables are tossed in uncooked, & are baked with the pasta for about half an hour. This way, they get cooked just right, & retain a comforting crunch & slight crispness to them. The little bit left-over tasted as good the next day, so this can be made in advance if you like.
ULIANA’S PASTA SAUCE & BAKE
Ingredients:
Onion – 1 large, chopped fine
Garlic – 1 clove, minced
Tomato paste – 2 tbsp ( I used 3-4 tbsps puree)
Tomatoes – 4-5 chopped Bay leaf – 2-3
Whole black pepper – 5-6
Oregano – 1 tsp
Sour cream – 1 tbsp (I used 2 tbsps of hung yogurt + 1 tsp 20% cream + a squeeze of lime)
Salt & pepper to taste
Cooked pasta ( Cook it while the sauce is simmering)
Chopped seasonal vegetables like carrots, beans, broccoli, asparagus shoots, cauliflower etc.
Method:
- Saute the onion & garlic till pink, about 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes & puree, mix well. Add bay leaf, whole pepper, oregano & season with salt & pepper.
- Simmer till sauce comes together well. Add sour cream & give it a good stir. Check seasoning.
- Add to cooked al dente pasta, mix in raw chopped vegetables, & turn into a baking dish. Top sparingly with grated cheese, cover tightly with foil, & bake in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at 180C.
Chrysanthemums from my garden to cheer you up, Barbara … HUGS!! You are special…This post featured on
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
21 Comments
Happy cook
I did read in barbaaras place yesterday that she had to go in back.
I am sure she will love this pasta .
Manggy
Thank you for sharing, Deeba– a delicious pasta dish that comforted you and your family will now hopefully give some comfort to Barbara.
Bellini Valli
I’m sure that Barbara would enjoy this comforting dish especially if brought to her by loving hands. Thanks for sharing Deeba!!
Núria
What a great post Dear! I’m sure Barbara will love your pasta dish :D.
I love Crisantemos… but don’t have any in my garden
The Blonde Duck
What a great dish and a great message. You’re so sweet!
Bron
A comforting dish for sure and such beautiful flowers, thank you so much for joining with us and giving Barbara a special hug!
Tartelette
I am sure Barbara feels the love right now! You are such a generous soul Deeba!
The pasta and the flowers are top!
Bharti
Nice post Deeba..sending good thoughts right along with you for Barbara. The pasta is something I would love to eat right now, right away.
Kalai
Perfect comfort food! Sending good vibes towards Barbara, too.
Barbara
Deeba thank you for such a lovely recipe, beautiful flowers and kind words. I’m sending a big virtual hug right back at you.
Reeni
What a delicious recipe, so beautiful with those colorful veggies. It was very sweet of you to dedicate this to her.
Darius T. Williams
Now – this is some delicious looking pasta!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
anudivya
I love this! Would be awesome with some whole wheat pasta too. Great job gal.
Pearlsofeast
Pasta sounds delctable Deeba. Nice post to cheer up Barbara.
Dhanggit
what makes this world a better place are people like you..;what a great comforting pasta and a warm virtual hug from the heart! barbara will surely be happy!
Bunny
You such a good person Deeba, this is a wonderful dish, prayers for Barbra on the way!
Sunshinemom
Pasta has so much warmth to envelope dear Barbara! Nice recipe for a fighter:)
Sonya
Hi Deeba, pasta dish looks very delicious! ….healthy too. Mums look so pretty. Do you have a lot of flowers growing in your garden? Maybe dedicate a post to flowers?
Have a great day!!
noble pig
I know Barb would love it, especially since it was made with love! Wonderful post.
ChichaJo
This looks delicious, comforting, and healthy! Lovely dish and lovely hug!
Jeanne
Oh, hubby will LOVE this vegetable-laden non-creamy pasta!! And what a lovely hug for Barbara