Pasta Alfredo with Olives & Pumpkin Seeds

# of servings:  4
Preparation Time:  10 mins	Cook Time:  20 mins

A nice variation from what's available in the restaurants.  Pine nuts are common with pasta, but pumpkin seeds go very well too!  They add a delightful crunch and body to the pasta, making it nutritious and delicious at the same time.

Ingredients:

• Pasta - 2 lbs
• Alfredo sauce - one 16 oz bottle
• Black olives - 1 can
• Butter (or) oil - 3 tbsp 
• Red chili paste (or) Schezwan sauce - 2 tbsp
• Salt
• Black pepper powder - 1 tsp  
• Pumpkin seeds - 2 fistfuls
• Parmesan cheese - 1 chunk (optional)

Method:

• In a pasta pot, bring 1.5 quarts of water to boil (or 'Soup' mode in IP)
• Add the pasta to it along with enough salt
• Cook the pasta as soft or al dente as preferred (Time depends on the pasta used and preference) 
• While the pasta is cooking, drain the black olives from the can and slice them as desired
• Drain the pasta and rinse in cold water
• Toss with a square of butter (or) a tsp of oil immediately 
• In a vessel, dry roast the pumpkin seeds and set aside
• Add the remaining butter (or) oil to the vessel and heat ('Saute' mode in IP)
• Make black pepper powder and add to the butter
• Add the red chili paste (or) Schezwan sauce and saute for a minute 
• Add the Alfredo sauce from the bottle
• Also, measure half a bottle of water in it, shake the bottle (to get out as much of the sauce as possible) and add to the sauce
• Add sliced black olives to the sauce and a little salt 
• Bring it to a boil till the butter (or) oil separates
• Add the pasta to it and toss the pasta till everything heats up well
• Turn off the heat 
• Dish out the pasta and sprinkle the roasted pumpkin seeds on top
• Grate some parmesan cheese, if using
• Serve hot! 

Tips and Tricks:

• Cooking pasta 'al dente' is better as it won't get too soggy or turn into a lump of carbs upon cooling
• Using butter adds its own rich flavor and fragrance! 
• Be sure to not use too much salt as the olives are already salty
• Roasting the pumpkin seeds makes them more crunchy and flavorful to go with the pasta

Pictures: 

Final Outcome: