Pressure Cooker Fusili

One pot meal that can be completed from start to finish in 20 mins with only 5 mins of prep time. Cooking pasta in a pressure cooker is not for puritans but it drastically reduces the cooking time. Can be made kid/spice/diet friendly without any additional effort. We have all the three groups represented in the house - so this gets done regularly. The glorious yellow color, not properly captured, is because of addition of turmeric powder.

Disclaimer: This method does not work for all types of pasta. At least I have not tried it.



Ingredients:

1. Fusili - 2 cups
2. Brocoli - 1 head - you can use as much or as little as you like
3. Onions - 1 cup diced
4. Tomatoes - 1 1/2 cup diced
5. Green Chilli - 3 small - optional
6. Garlic - 3 medium cloves - optional
7. Pizza/Oregano seasoning - 1 tbsp or more according to preference
8. Red Chilli Flakes - 1/4 tsp - optional
9. Cheese - 2 slices - optional
10. Olive oil - 1 tbsp
11. Butter - 1 tbsp - optional
12. Turmeric - 1/4 tsp - optional
13. Salt - 3/4 tsp or according to taste

Method:

1. Add olive oil to the pan and add garlic immediately.
2. When you start smelling the garlic, add onions, saute them till they are slightly cooked.
3. Add the tomatoes, chilli, salt, oregano seasoning, turmeric and the pasta. Toss everything to get an oil coating. The tomatoes and the pasta cook together.
4. You can also add the brocoli at this stage if you do not mind it cooked a little too much. 
5. Add the red chilli flakes if you need the heat.
6. Pour enough water enough to just cover the pasta and vegetables as pictured above. I never measured the water.
7. Cover the pressure pan and cook on high heat for one whistle only. Switch it off and let the steam run off.
8. Steam the brocoli if you want to add them separately. I blanched the brocoli and added them to the pressure cooked pasta in the end. We kind of like our pasta a little saucy, so I add a cup of hot water now.
9. Kid serving - add a slice of cheese on the plate, ladle the pasta and top it with butter. The heat of the pasta melts the cheese and butter, mix it all up and serve.
10. You can sprinkle red chilli flakes and eat as is without cheese or butter for a diet/spice friendly option.

Brands used:

1. Britannia cheddar cheese slices work well with this. They melt beautifully and blend into the yellow color of the turmeric.
2. De Cecco Fusili works well and stands to the rigors of pressure cooking.
3. Easy life pizza seasoning.

 PS: The brands are listed for helping the reader. It is not an endorsement of the product in any way.    

Notes: 

1. This will give you enough for 3 medium sized servings.
2. Zuchini/Spinach are other good vegetables to be served with this pasta.
3. Number of whistle might vary based on pressure cookers.