Fusilli in tomato- basil mince sauce

"Can we have pasta for lunch", asked my Older One. I had been planning to make tengai sevai, but when someone really wants to eat something, it is hard to say no to them. I rustled up this dish using the ingredients I had in the house, and it was polished off in no time at all.

1 1/2 cup pasta

2 fat, juicy tomatoes, chopped

4-6 pods garlic, cut into small pieces

3 tbsp tomato puree

Red chilll powder

Salt and sugar to taste

2 tbsp fresh basil OR 1 tsp dried basil

1/2 cup soya granules

2 tsp olive oil

Cheese and cherry tomatoes for garnish

Method

Heat the oil, and fry the garlic till lightly browned.
Add the tomatoes, and fry till mushy.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta as per the instructions on the packet, drain and keep aside
Soak the soya granules in hot water for a minute, drain and keep aside
Add soya granules, tomato puree, chilli powder, salt and dried basil (if using) to the tomato paste, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Take off the fire. Check the taste and add a bit of sugar, if required
Add the cooked pasta, and torn basil leaves (if using) and mix well.
Garnish with cherry tomatoes and cheese** before serving.

** The cheese is not required, but my family does not consider pasta complete unless there is cheese, so I added it.