Category Archives: Ethnic – Regional

Red Pepper Quesadillas

Eight 8-in. flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1 cup frozen chopped red bell peppers, thawed
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
4 tsp vegetable oil
Note: Next time you make bean soup, serve these Mexican “grilled cheese” sandwiches on the side.
Sprinkle 4 tortillas with 1/2 cup of the cheese, the red peppers, scallions and cilantro. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and tortillas.  Heat 1 tsp oil in each of two nonstick skillets over medium heat. Cook a quesadilla in each about 2 minutes per side, turning once, until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted; repeat with remaining quesadillas. Cut in wedges
4  Servings

Pork Fried Rice

2 cups pork tenderloin, cooked, diced
2 cups rice, cooked
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup scallion tops, sliced
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 eggs
dash soy sauce
dash sesame oil
dash ginger
1 teaspoon garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet.  add 2 cups each of diced pork and rice, carrots, peas and scallions.  Stir fry until hot.  Add 2 beaten eggs and remaining ingredients. Stir until eggs are set.
4  Servings

PF Chang’s™ Orange Peel Chicken

Sauce:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
4 green onions, sliced
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Chicken:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk1 cup flour
peel from 1/4 orange, julienned (into 1/8″-thick strips)
cooked white or brown rice, to serve
Prepare the sauce: In medium saucepan, heat oil; add garlic and onions; do not let the garlic burn; add tomato sauce; bring to boil.  Add sugar, chili sauce and soy sauce; bring to boil; simmer 5 to 6 minutes or until sauce thickens; remove from heat.
Prepare chicken: In wok or large skillet, heat oil. Meanwhile cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In medium bowl combine egg and milk; mix well. Place flour in shallow dish.5. Coat chicken pieces – first in the flour, then the egg wash and back into the flour. Cook in 2 or 3 batches until all chicken is cooked.  When chicken is done, remove oil and rinse out wok with water; reheat pan. When hot, add orange peel and chicken; heat through – about a minute – stirring gently. Add sauce; heat through.7. Serve with white or brown rice.
Serves 4

Penne Rustica

Gratinata Sauce:
2 teaspoon Butter
2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1 cup marsala wine
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 cups heavy cream
Saute butter, garlic , and rosemary until garlic begins to brown but do not burn the garlic.  Add marsala wine and then reduce by one-third. Add remaining ingredients and reduce by half of original volume. Set aside.
Penne Rustica:
1 oz. pancetta or bacon
18 shrimp peeled and deveined
12 oz. grilled chicken breast, sliced
4 1/2 cups of granita sauce
3 lbs. cooked Penne Pasta
3 teaspoons pimentos, minced
6 oz. butter
1 teaspoon chopped shallots
1 pinch of salt and pepper
1 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon paprika
6 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Sauté pancetta until it begins to brown. Add butter, shallots, and shrimp. Cook until shrimp are evenly pick but still translucent, you do not want to overcook the shrimp or else it will be rubbery. Add chicken, salt, pepper, and mix thoroughly. Add granita sauce and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and simmer until the sauce thickens. In a large bowl, combine shrimp and chicken mixture with precooked pasta. Place this mixture into single serving dishes or one large casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and pimentos and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 475 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Remove and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.
6  Servings

Pasta Florentine

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
12 oz sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 oz ham (Black Forest if possible), julienned
1/4 cup chopped parsley
8 oz pasta (your favorite shape), cooked according to package directions
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped
Heat extra virgin olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Once garlic starts to sizzle, add mushrooms. Sauté 2-3 minutes. Add heavy cream and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Allow to slightly reduce, for about 10 minutes. Add ham, peas and parsley and cook 4 minutes.  Return cooked, drained pasta to pot and add sauce. Cook until sauce simmers and coats the pasta.  Remove pot from heat and stir in grated Parmesan. Toss gently to combine.  Transfer to large serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve. 
Chef’s Tip: Use a small amount of salt. The parmesan cheese naturally contains salt.
4  Servings