PASTA WITH SOY GRANULES

PASTA WITH SOY GRANULES
This recipe is from a Weight Watcher’s recipe book, which I borrowed by the library. It is a very easy one and the preparation time is also less. I have stuck to the original recipe except that I have added some green bell peppers and peas. I even used a green chili for some extra heat. The vegetables can be changed according to personal preferences. Here goes the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
1. Any whole wheat pasta, 1 cup. (I have used penne here).
2. Pasta sauce, 1-1/2 to 2 cups.
3. Green chili, 1.
4. Onion, medium-sized, 1.
5. Any type of veggies like carrot, cabbage, etc coming around to 1 cup when diced.
6. Garlic paste, 1 teaspoon.
7. Parmesan cheese, ½ cup.
8. Soy granules, 1 cup.
9. Basil leaves, handful.
10. Salt and pepper as per taste.

PREPARATION:
To cook the soy granules, drop them in boiling water and let them cook. Drain the water and wash them twice and remove excess water from the granules. If whole nuggets are used, they should be cooked first and then cut into small pieces. Chop the onion and the vegetables finely. Dice the chili finely. Cook the pasta as per the package instructions, drain it, and let it cool. Heat a big pan with some olive oil. When the oil turns hot, add the chopped onions and sauté for a few minutes until it is tender. Then add the diced vegetables, chili, and garlic paste and sauté everything for a few more minutes until all the vegetables are cooked. Add the pasta sauce, soy granules, salt, and pepper and mix everything well. Let it cook for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Then add the cooked pasta, parmesan cheese, the crushed basil leaves. Mix everything and switch off the stove. Serve the hot pasta with grated parmesan cheese garnished on top.