"HWC contest #154: Food Diary Game - WEEK -50 by @isha-rehman (28-5-2025)".

Assalamo Alaikom

This is me @isha-rehman and I hope you all are in great health and happiness. Today I am excited to share with you one of my all time favorite recipes Macaroni a simple yet delicious dish that has always been a comfort food for me. Whether you want a quick lunch a fulfilling dinner or a tasty this recipe is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni (boiled until tender but firm)
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 1 fresh tomato chopped
• 1 green capsicum (bell pepper) chopped
• 1-2 green chilies (optional for a little spicy kick)
• ½ cup boiled corn kernels
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust as per your spice tolerance)
• ½ teaspoon salt (or according to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Grated cheese (optional for garnish)

Preparing the Ingredients and Cooking the Macaroni

First boil 2 cups of elbow macaroni in salted water until it is tender but still slightly firm (al dente). This usually takes about 7-8 minutes. After boiling drain the water and rinse the macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from sticking together.

Meanwhile chop one medium onion one fresh tomato one green capsicum and optionally 1-2 green chilies for some spice. Also have ready half a cup of boiled corn kernels.

Cooking the Vegetables and Mixing Everything Together

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over mediuem heat. Add the choepped onions and saute until they turn light golden brown. Then add the choppeed toematoes and cook them until they soften and form a thick sauce.
Next add the chopped green capsicum boiled corn and green chilies. Stir-fry for 2-3 minuetes to keep the vegetaebles slightly creunchy.

Add the spices — ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon red chili flakes and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder. Mix everything well and cook for another minute to blend the flavors.

Finally add the boiled macaroni to the pan pour in 1 tablespoon of ketchup and gently stir everything together. Let it cook on low heat for 2 minutes so the flavors combine well. Optionally sprinkle some grated cheese on top and let it melt before serving.

Why I Love This Recipe:

This macaroni recipe is very special to me beecause it was one of the first dishes I leaerned to prepare on my own. It is simple afforedable and extremely veresatile. I love how it can be easily custoemized with additieonal ingredients like chicken sausages or even paneer to suit your mood.
For me macaroni is more than just food it is a remeinder of cozy eveneings at home where I would cook this and enjoy it with a warm cup of tea or someetimes with garlic breead on the side. The mix of coloreful vegetabeles makes the dish viseually appealieng and the spices bring just the right ameount of zing to every bite.

Inviteation to Friends:

I warmly invite my dear friends to join this exciting contest and share their food diaries as well.
@dove11 @pijushmitra @hamzayousafzai