Libir Libir Pasta Recipe: Spicy Nepali-Style Pasta

Pasta doesn't always have to be creamy, cheesy, or traditionally Italian. Sometimes, a little spice, colourful vegetables and a bold sauce can turn a simple pasta dish into something completely new.

Libir Libir Pasta is a wholesome wheat pasta tossed in a spicy Nepali-inspired sauce with crunchy vegetables, soy sauce, fresh coriander and sesame seeds. The combination of chewy pasta, colourful peppers and aromatic ginger, garlic and green chilli makes every bite full of flavour.

If you're looking for a pasta recipe that's comforting, colourful and a little different from the usual, this one is worth trying.

What Is Libir Libir Pasta?

Libir Libir Pasta is a hearty wheat pasta recipe inspired by bold Nepali flavours. The pasta is prepared using a combination of whole wheat flour and plain flour, shaped into rustic tapered pieces and boiled until tender.

It's then tossed with a spicy tomato-based sauce made with onion, ginger, garlic, green chilli, tomato paste, soy sauce and spices.

Crunchy red, yellow and green peppers add texture, while fresh coriander, sesame seeds and lime bring the dish together.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 tbsp ghee or oil
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as required

For the Vegetable Mix

• Red bell pepper, sliced
• Yellow bell pepper, sliced
• Green capsicum, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Green chilli
• Soy sauce

For the Sauce

• Tomato paste
• Soy sauce
• Spices of your choice
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Oil, for cooking

For Garnishing

• Fresh coriander
• Sesame seeds
• Lime

How to Make Libir Libir Pasta

1. Prepare the Pasta Dough

Add whole wheat flour and plain flour to a large mixing bowl.

Add salt and 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil. Gradually add water and knead everything together until you have a soft and smooth dough.

Cover the dough and let it rest for around 15 minutes.

This resting time makes the dough easier to shape.

2. Prepare the Vegetables

While the dough is resting, slice the red, yellow and green bell peppers along with the onion.

Heat a pan or wok over high heat and add a little oil.

Add the peppers and onion and quickly sauté them over high heat. Keep them slightly crunchy rather than cooking them until completely soft.

Add a little soy sauce, toss well and set the vegetables aside.

3. Shape the Pasta

After the dough has rested, divide it into smaller portions.

Roll each portion into long, tapered logs and lightly dust them with flour so they don't stick.

The rustic shape doesn't need to be perfectly uniform. That's part of the charm of this homemade-style pasta.

4. Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Carefully add the shaped pasta and cook for around 10 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred texture.

Once cooked, drain the pasta and keep it aside.

Save a little pasta water before draining. It can be used later to adjust the consistency of the sauce.

5. Prepare the Spicy Sauce

Heat some oil in a pan.

Add onion, ginger, garlic and green chilli. Sauté until the aromatics become fragrant.

Add your spices and tomato paste. Cook until the tomato paste is well incorporated and the oil begins to separate from the sauce.

Add soy sauce and adjust the seasoning according to your taste.

If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water.

6. Toss Everything Together

Add the cooked pasta to the prepared sauce.

Add the sautéed peppers and onions and toss everything together until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.

Season with salt and black pepper as needed.

Finish with fresh lime juice and chopped coriander.

Give everything one final toss.

7. Garnish and Serve

Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl.

Garnish with fresh coriander and sesame seeds, then finish with a squeeze of lime.

Serve hot.

The result is a delicious combination of wholesome wheat pasta, spicy sauce, crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs.

Tips for the Perfect Libir Libir Pasta

Keep the vegetables crunchy: Cook the peppers and onions quickly over high heat so they retain some of their crunch.

Let the dough rest: Resting the dough for around 15 minutes makes it easier to shape.

Adjust the spice: Add more or less green chilli depending on how spicy you like your pasta.

Don't waste the pasta water: A little pasta water can help loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.

Finish with lime: Fresh lime adds brightness and balances the spicy and savoury flavours.

Why You'll Love This Pasta Recipe

• Made with a wholesome wheat-based pasta
• Packed with colourful vegetables
• Full of spicy and savoury flavours
• Easy to customise
• A fun alternative to traditional pasta recipes
• Perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Libir Libir Pasta?

Libir Libir Pasta is a wholesome wheat pasta dish prepared with a spicy Nepali-inspired sauce, crunchy vegetables, soy sauce, fresh coriander and sesame seeds.

Can I make Libir Libir Pasta less spicy?

Yes. Simply reduce the amount of green chilli and spices according to your preference.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes. You can add vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, broccoli or beans. However, peppers and onions work particularly well because they add crunch and colour.

How do I keep the vegetables crunchy?

Cook them quickly over high heat and avoid overcooking. They should remain slightly crisp when added to the pasta.

Can I use another type of pasta?

Yes. While the rustic hand-shaped wheat pasta gives this recipe its distinctive character, you can adapt the sauce and vegetable mix with another pasta shape.

A Bowl Full of Bold Flavours

Libir Libir Pasta is proof that pasta can travel beyond the usual flavours.

With wholesome wheat pasta, crunchy vegetables, aromatic spices and a bold sauce, this recipe brings together comfort and character in every bite.

So, the next time you're craving pasta, try something a little different.

Make it. Toss it. Spice it up. 🍝🌶️