A classic combination of tomatoes and cream, pretty common in Indian as well as Italian cuisines, and loved by people from all over the world… this Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is my absolute favorite! Its rich, easy to whip up, and the velvety sauce is a perfect balance of tanginess and creaminess which tastes incredible right from the first bite. This recipe is very similar to an Indian style Butter chicken but with some variations to the spices used.

The key to any pasta dish is the perfection in the cooking of the pasta and not allowing it to dry. So, make sure to cook your pasta just al dente. The tomato paste gives the color and the flavor, and combining it with spices and cream gives you the creamy dreamy pasta which is so perfect for your date nights or get togethers.

A few pointers:

1. This is a toddler approved recipe and always a hit for our kids’ parties.
2. You can make the vegetarian version of this pasta by swapping chicken with vegetables. Veggies like mushroom, broccoli, spinach, bell peppers work well with this recipe.
3. Shrimp is also a great substitute for chicken in this dish.
4. Although I highly recommend tomato paste, you can use fresh tomatoes, marinara sauce or canned diced tomatoes. Make sure to cook them well until it is thickened and reduced to a thick saucy consistency.
5. How to store: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days.

Interested in other pasta recipes? Check these out:

1. White Sauce Chicken Pasta
2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
3. Spaghetti with Mushroom and Peas
4. Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

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Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Chicken! A Delicious Pasta packed with Tomato flavors put together in just 30 minutes. Pair it up with your Favorite Wine for the Perfect Meal on your Dinner Nights!!!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword chicken pasta, creamy tomato pasta, pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 cups rigatoni pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
• 3 chicken breasts (thinly sliced)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 medium yellow/white onion (finely chopped)
• 6 oz canned tomato paste
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup pasta water (reserved)
• 2 tbsp butter/olive oil
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese + topping
• Parsley (garnish)
• Salt (as required)

Instructions

• Preparation of pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the cooked pasta water.
• Preparation of chicken: In a pan, heat some oil on medium flame and cook the chicken with salt and pepper, until cooked through and slightly browned. Remove from the pan and keep aside.
• Make the sauce: Into the same pan, add butter. Once it is melted, add garlic and sauté until it turns fragrant.
• Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it turns soft.
• Add tomato paste and mix well. Followed by adding the spices; oregano, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Add the reserved pasta water and allow it to cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the heavy cream and cooked chicken, mix well, let it cook for 3 minutes until it is slightly thickened but still saucy. Check for the seasoning.
• Add the drained pasta, toss them together and top with parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve hot.

The post Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta appeared first on Pepper Delight.

This restaurant-style salsa is quick n easy. All you need are a few minutes of you time and a handful of ingredients which are readily available in your pantry!  The freshness of the tomatoes, the zestiness of the lime clubbed with the heat from the jalapenos and the aroma of the cilantro, together balance the flavors very well and tastes just like the restaurant version.

Why homemade Salsa?

The thought of making homemade salsa started after noticing my son going crazy over chips and salsa whenever we visit Mexican restaurants. I mean, how could I blame him, we all love it, right? And when he started asking for the same at home too, I used to give him store bought salsa initially. But watching how he used to drink & gulp it (lol, I donno what else to say), it made me concerned about the quality of store-bought ones and the preservatives present for longer shelf life, not to mention the high amount of salt and sugar added for taste. That was the moment I finally decided to try my hand on a homemade version. And trust me, that was the right decision and never have I turned back to store bought salsa again. Also, I can’t be happier watching my son savor mommy’s homemade salsa!

Is Salsa Healthy?

Yes, tomato being the main ingredient of Salsa, it is an excellent source of Vitamin C with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Salsa is also low in calories, helps with digestion, boosts your immune system and promotes heart health.

How to store?

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an air tight container for up to a week. I do not recommend freezing salsa as it is best enjoyed when freshly made without any preservatives.

Interested in other Mexican food recipes? Check these out:

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
2. Crispy Fish Tacos
3. Salmon Tacos with Avocado crema
4. Easy Homemade Guacamole

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Follow me on Instagram, try out the recipes and tag #pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you prepare. Rate us if you love it!

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Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa

Quick and Easy Homemade Salsa, made with a few simple ingredients! Top your salads, tacos & fajitas,or enjoy as a dip with your favorite tortilla chips.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword homemade salsa, mexican, salsa

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 7

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 can diced / crushed tomatoes 14.5 oz
• 2 fresh tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 jalapeno
• 1 handful of cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ of a medium sized onion
• Salt (as required)

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients together and check for the seasoning.
• Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

1. You can remove the seeds of the jalapenos to make it less spicy.
2. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.

The post Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa appeared first on Pepper Delight.

It’s my 6^th year of blogging with Pepper Delight! Also being the week of Valentine’s Day, I thought a delicious cake would be an apt dessert for the celebrations. So here I am, with a simple one pan chocolate cake which happened to be the one of most requested recipes from my readers.

Cakes are a desert unanimously loved by everyone. I already have a couple of cake recipes with chocolate on my blog, like for example my Chocolate Hazelnut Cake which is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any party for that matter. Also check out my Texas Sheet Cake which is one of the easiest n tastiest sheet pan cakes you can serve a large crowd.

This cake is deliciously soft and tender with a creamy rich chocolate buttercream frosting, and it is perfect for small gatherings or to share with friends and family as a dessert. You can use a 9-inch square pan or an 8-inch round pan for this recipe and customize with your choice of frosting. I personally love chocolate buttercream frosting, but a chocolate ganache would also be a delicious alternative.

Enjoy, Happy Baking…!

Don’t forget to check out my previous years’ Blog Anniversary Special Cakes:

• 2017 – Chocolate Hazelnut Semi Naked Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache 
• 2018 – Matcha Cake with Buttercream Frosting and White Chocolate Matcha Drip
• 2019 – Neapolitan Ombre Cake
• 2020 – Key Lime Pie
• 2021 – Chocolate Meringue Cake

Follow me on Instagram, try out the recipes and tag #pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you prepare. Rate us if you love it!

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Chocolate Cake

A Simple One Pan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate cake

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 8 pieces

Author Akhila

Ingredients

For the cake

• 1 cup flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg (at room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup oil
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup freshly brewed warm coffee

For the buttercream frosting

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter
• 1½ cup powdered sugar (sifted)
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted)
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

For the cake

• Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Line an 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan with parchment paper, apply butter to grease the pan and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients by sifting flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat granulated sugar and egg until combined, followed by adding vanilla extract and oil.
• Add the dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk and beat until they combine well. Add warm coffee and beat well for one last time, the batter will be loose/watery/runny.
• Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Unmold the cake carefully to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.

For the buttercream frosting

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter until creamy. Add sifted cocoa powder, powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beat until it turns out smooth.
• Add milk as needed for desired consistency. Make sure your frosting is not runny or too thick, it should be spreadable.
• If the frosting seems loose, refrigerate it for some time to thicken.
• Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and style as desired.

Notes

• If your cake feels dry or crumbly after baking, brush some simple sugar syrup over the cake to retain it moistness and texture.
• Grease your pan properly to avoid any cracks or holes in your cake. This helps the cake to slide through the sides of the pan easily.

The post Chocolate Cake – Celebrating 6 years of Pepper Delight appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Every year of Pepper Delight is a new milestone, and 2018 wasn’t any exception either. A year filled with a lot of delicious recipes and achievements in my blogging career; from new heights in photography with being recognized as “Top 30 Indian Food Photographers – 2018”, doing outdoor shoots & product photography, to taking up cake orders (mann, something I never dreamt of in my life) & finally wrapping up this month with offers of product samples, reviews & giveaways…What an amazing ride…!

Behind all this is the incredible support each and everyone of you have given me, and I take this opportunity to Thank You All from the bottom of my heart!

So, let’s find out which delicious delights topped the chart, and here you go – The Popular Recipes of 2018 from Pepper Delight!

Did your favorite dish makes it to the top list? Do drop a comment and I would love to hear about it. Happy New Year…!

And don’t miss to check out the popular recipes from 2017 and 2016.

10. Berry Oatmeal Crumb Bars

9. Madhura Curry

8. Kashmiri Pulao

7. Chia Breakfast Pudding

6. Vegetable Kurma

5. Fish Biriyani

4. Easy No-Cook Eggless Tiramisu

3. Kootu Curry

2. Matcha Cake with Buttercream Frosting and White Chocolate Matcha Drip

1. Fish Molly/Molee/Kerala Style Fish Stew

The post Top 10 Recipes of 2018 appeared first on Pepper Delight.

The 2017 Culinary Journey with Pepper Delight has come to an end and I can’t believe that a year went by already… Time Flies! As I gear up for the New Year, sitting down to pen this post is my favorite and the most memorable way to sum up this year’s hard work. Going through the site stats, gathering the posts with the most visits/likes/shares, and reading through all the wonderful comments/feedbacks, is sooo satisfying and my morale booster n motivator to do even better in 2018.

Just like 2016, this was such an amazing year for Pepper Delight with lots of wonderful moments throughout my blog journey. Right from the Recipes to Food Photography, I have improved a lot when compared to my previous year (I started still photography too). A Zillion Thanks to all my readers for your incredible support… the comments, likes, feedbacks, emails, messages; they all made by day, every day, and kept me going…!

Wishing You all a Very Happy and Prosperous 2018…!

And don’t forget to check out popular recipes from 2016 too.

So let’s countdown The Top 10 Recipes of 2017, which you guys loved the most..!

10.  Vanilla Raspberry Cake with Buttercream Frosting and Caramel Drip

9. Chicken Cilantro Detox Soup

8. Tofu Fried Rice

7. Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wraps with Cilantro Tahini Sauce

6. Pepper Chicken

5. Kale Smoothie with Mango & Banana

4. Kerala Style Mango Pickle

3. Prawn Biriyani

2. Beef Ularthiyathu / Beef Dry Roast

And the top recipe of 2017 ->  Chocolate Hazelnut Semi Naked Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache

The post Top 10 Recipes of 2017 appeared first on Pepper Delight.