Category Archives: Ethnic – Regional

Spaghetti and Meatballs

1 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
2 16 oz. cans tomato sauce, or crushed tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons pesto
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 cup wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper, to taste

MEATBALLS

Saute onion in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the rest of ingredients and simmer on low until meatballs are done.

4 Servings

Southern Fried Chicken Paula Deen’s Recipe

2 lbs cut-up chicken

Sauce mixture

4 eggs
1/3 cup water
1 cup hot sauce (I use Louisiana Hot Sauce, Tabasco might be hotter)

Seasoning blend

1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Dredging mixture

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat peanut oil in a large deep pot to 350°F (do not fill more than half full–you don’t want a hot-oil spill-over accident!).
For sauce mixture: in a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs with the water.
Add hot sauce and whisk together well.
Pour this mixture into a large plastic zip-top bag.
For seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
For dredging mixture: In a another bowl, mix flour, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces with a paper towel.
Cut breast pieces in half across ribs.
Sprinkle chicken generously on both sides with seasoning blend.
Drop a few chicken pieces of chicken into bag of sauce mixture and squish around to coat thoroughly.
One piece at a time, roll chicken in flour mixture and drop into hot oil.
Don’t crowd chicken pieces–I cook about half the chicken at a time.
Fry chicken until brown and crisp.
Drain on paper toweling.
Dark meat will take about 14 minutes, white meat about 10 minutes.
Remember smaller pieces cook faster than the larger ones.
You can check for doneness by piercing to the bone in the thickest part with a fork.
If the juices run clear, it is done.

8 Servings

Shrimp and Sesame Pasta

1 pound penne rigati pasta
1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup hot water
1 pound cooked medium shrimp
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Toasted sesame seeds

Cook pasta according to package directions. During last minute of cooking time add asparagus. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until pasta and asparagus are cool. Transfer to a large serving bowl and set aside. If preparing a day ahead, bring to room temperature before serving.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add hot water and stir until sauce is smooth, breaking up any small clumps.
Add shrimp, red pepper, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the cilantro to the pasta. Add sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and sesame seeds.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Sharon’s Mexican Chicken Casserole

This is nothing short of awesome! And oh, so easy!

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
1 12 oz. can chicken broth
1 10 3/4 ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 12 oz. can canned corn, (Mexicorn), drained
1 12 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 8 oz. bottle green taco sauce or Tomatillo Salsa
1/4 cup salsa
9 corn tortillas
3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded – may use the Mexican flavored cheese

In a large bowl, whisk together the soup and half of the broth. Stir in the green taco sauce, salsa, corn, black beans and one cup of the cheese.
Place one layer of corn tortillas over bottom of a 13×9″ baking dish. Top with half of the chicken mixture. Repeat layers ending with a layer of corn tortillas. Top with remaining cheese and pour remaining chicken broth over the casserole.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

8 Servings

Sesame Shrimp and Pasta Salad

1 pound penne rigati pasta
1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup hot water
1 pound cooked medium shrimp
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Toasted sesame seeds

Cook pasta according to package directions. During last minute of cooking time add asparagus. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until pasta and asparagus are cool. Transfer to a large serving bowl and set aside. If preparing a day ahead, bring to room temperature before serving.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add hot water and stir until sauce is smooth, breaking up any small clumps.
Add shrimp, red pepper, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the cilantro to the pasta. Add sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and sesame seeds. Makes 4 to 6 servings.