Category Archives: Pasta

Cavatelli with Chicken & Broccoli

September 18, 2011 Sharon Leave a comment

1 bag (16 oz) frozen cavatelli (short shells) or 12 oz dried (short ripple-edged shells)
8 oz boneless chicken cutlets, halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise in 1/2-in. strips
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Sauce:
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
8 oz fresh broccoli florets (1/2 a 1-lb bag)
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook as package directs.

Meanwhile put chicken and flour in large plastic food bag. Seal bag; shake to coat chicken evenly. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add chicken; sauté 2 to 3 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate. Reduce heat to low. Heat remaining 3 Tbsp oil in skillet. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in broccoli, broth and crushed pepper (if using). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes or until broccoli is tender.

Drain pasta; return to pot. Add Sauce, chicken and cheese; toss to mix and coat.

Asian, Main Dish, Pasta, Seafood

Camp Stove Pad Thai

September 18, 2011 Sharon Leave a comment

Asian cuisine involves fast, fresh cooking techniques that can produce bold flavors—perfect for camping. Our dinner menu includes an appetizer of easy grilled satay and a simple Pad Thai, both of which are largely made ahead of time.

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/3 cup minced shallots

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/4 cup tamarind concentrate

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons lime juice

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup rinsed bean sprouts

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

1 package (14 oz.) dried rice noodles

1 lime

1 pound frozen cooked shelled shrimp or 1 pound firm tofu

AT HOME:

Buy pad Thai sauce, or make your own. Pour vegetable oil in an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add shallots and garlic and stir until limp, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tamarind concentrate (or substitute 1 tablespoon dark molasses and increase lime juice to 1/4 cup), brown sugar, Asian fish sauce, chili powder, and lime juice; cook 1 minute. Let cool; chill airtight up to 1 week.

Seal carrots, bean sprouts, cilantro, green onions, and peanuts in separate plastic bags; chill vegetables and cilantro.

Purchase rice noodles, lime, and shrimp (pack frozen) or tofu (cut into 1-in. chunks; seal in a bag and chill).

Pack a large pan; a pasta insert or a strainer; a medium pan for sauce; and tongs for combining noodles and sauce.

IN CAMP:

Halve and slice lime. In a large pan over high heat, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook until barely tender to bite, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain noodles and rinse well in cool water. Return noodles to pan.

In a medium pan over high heat, heat sauce and shrimp or tofu. Add to noodles with carrots, sprouts, cilantro, green onions, and peanuts; mix to coat. Accompany with lime slices.

Chicken, Main Dish, Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

September 18, 2011 Sharon Leave a comment

3 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Cubes
3 teaspoons Cajun Spice Mix, More To Taste
1 pound Fettuccine
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
½ whole Large Red Onion, Sliced
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
4 whole Roma Tomatoes, Diced
2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
½ cups White Wine
1 cup Heavy Cream
Cayenne Pepper To Taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
Salt To Taste
Chopped Fresh Parsley, To Taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when pasta is still al dente; do not overcook!

Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice over chicken pieces. Toss around to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do not stir. Allow chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean plate. Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove chicken, leaving pan on high heat. Add remaining olive oil and butter.

When heated, add peppers, onions, and garlic. Sprinkle on remaining Cajun spice, and add salt if needed. Cook over very high heat for 1 minute, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black as possible. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove all vegetables from the pan. With the pan over high heat, pour in the wine and chicken broth. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and/or salt to taste. Sauce should be spicy!

Finally, add chicken and vegetables to sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until mixture is bubbly and hot. Add drained fettuccine and toss to combine. Top with chopped fresh parsley and chow down!

Beef, Main Dish, Pasta

Beef & Noodles

September 17, 2011 Sharon Leave a comment

1 pound boneless beef round steak or chuck roast
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon dried marjoram or basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces frozen noodles
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into 3/4-inch cubes. Coat meat with the flour. In a large saucepan brown half of the coated meat in hot oil. Remove from saucepan. Brown the remaining meat with the onion and garlic, adding more oil, if necessary. Drain off fat. Return all meat to the saucepan.

Stir in the broth, marjoram, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Stir noodles into broth mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until noodles are tender. To serve, sprinkle with parsley.

Makes 4 servings

Casseroles, Pasta, Potatoes, Vegetarian