Tomato Basil Bruschetta and Spicy Tuna Pasta Twist (Snacks for the Meeting)
When you were not able to perform your task and did not deliver what were expected from you, what do you normally get as a consequence? Penalty! This is what my colleagues and I got from not being able to meet the deadline for one of our KPMs (key performance measures) at work. That is, for having our report turned in late we have to face the unwanted outcome. Our punishment? We have to prepare snacks for the operations meeting. Can you really consider that as a punishment? Well to feed a bunch of foodies, to some extent for our pockets, it is going to be. But to our daring appetites, it’s a granted desire. So, with a budget at hand, we came up with the following dishes and happily shared hefty bites of these.
What you need:
1 bulb of garlic (finely chopped), 10 pcs medium sized tomatoes (cut into cubes), 3 tbps chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 pack quickmelt cheese (cut into cubes), 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil plus extra for brushing onto the bread, 2 pcs of french baguette (sliced diagonally), 3 tbsps balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, grated parmesan cheese
How to make:
Mix garlic, salt, pepper, vinegar and basil leaves in a large bowl. Toss in tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil and mix well. Let stand for 15 - 20 minutes. Brush each slice of baguette with olive oil and add 2 tbsps of tomato mixture on top. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Toast in the oven at 150°C for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is just about to melt.
Spicy Tuna Pasta TwistWhat you need:
500 g pasta twist or spirals, 1/2 cup of pasta water reserve, 1 large red onion (chopped), 6 cloves of garlic (chopped), 4 cans of hot and spicy tuna flakes (drained), 1 large can of button mushrooms (sliced thinly), 3 small tetra packs of all purpose cream, salt and pepper to taste, 1 1/2 tsp dried and ground whole basil leaves, 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
How to make:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside 1/2 cup of pasta water. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add mushroom and tuna flakes. Sauté for a minute. Season with salt, pepper and ground basil leaves. Add all purpose cream and pasta water. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir in the pasta and blend well.
Comments