Penne A La Santa Fe Recipes

Steps:

• Cook your chicken first.
• To blacken, lightly sprinkle blackening seasoning on both sides of the chicken.
• Heat a stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken completely - turning only once.
• Hint: You may want to do this on your grill outside because a lot of smoke can be generated.
• Slice the chicken into the thin long strips.
• Set the chicken aside while you prepare the sauce and noodles.
• In a large pot, start heat your water to a boil in preparation for the pasta.
• In a large stainless saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat.
• While the butter is melting, finely mince the garlic and then add to the pan.
• Cook the garlic for two minutes and then add all of the cream.
• Stir occasionally while it reduces by half.
• Hint: If your garlic turns brown then the pan was too hot - start over, it will be worth it.
• While the cream is starting to reduce, prepare your other ingredients by finely mincing the green onions, cilantro, tomatoes & roasted red peppers - but keep the tomatoes separate.
• Stir in the cilantro, green onion & roasted red peppers while it's reducing.
• Your cream should be simmering now as it reduces - this process will normally take more than 20 minutes - stir occasionally and keep a watch out for it boiling over.
• Boil the pasta, which should take at least 12 minutes.
• Clean the snow peas and add them to the cream - if they simmer in the cream for at least 10 minutes they are perfect - cooked through and hot, but still a bit crisp.
• When the pasta is done, the cream should be reduced by half now. The cream's texture should not be thick like Alfredo sauce, but not runny like water.
• Drain the pasta well! Penne pasta is a pain because it holds so much water, but too much left over water will thin out the sauce you worked so hard for.
• Put the noodles back in its pot and pour your cream over the noodles.
• Add the chicken and stir everything together well.
• Serve immediately as this dish is not good as leftovers or once the cream cools.
• Spoon out an appropriate amount onto a plate and then sprinkle some diced tomatoes on top - you can also use some left over cilantro sprig as garnish if you like.
• I usually serve this with warm Italian bread with soft butter on the side.

Steps:

• Have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• (Start boiling the water for your pasta and cook it according to package directions.) Meanwhile, add approximately 1 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 2 Tbsp fresh chopped garlic to a large,heavy,deep nonstick skillet and set the heat to medium-high.
• Add the ground meat to the pan and cook, stirring often,to brown the meat, breaking up any lumps with your spoon so it crumbles.
• Once the meat has fully cooked (about 5 minutes or so), use a slotted spoon to remove it to a small bowl and set aside; drain any remaining fat/oil from the pan and wipe dry with a paper towel (watch out for your fingers).
• Using the same skillet, add approximately 1 teaspoon more oil to the pan, along with 1 teaspoon of garlic and all of the chopped red onions.
• Saute,over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes or until onion is translucent& lightly browned, stirring often.
• (Don't forget to check on your pasta).
• As soon as the onions have softened a bit and are lightly browned, add the peppers to the pan and continue to stir about 1-2 minutes more.
• Add the zucchini and the corn, stirring to coat well.
• Add the seasoned salt and about 8 grinds of black pepper, stirring well to coat the vegetables.
• Let the veggies cook about 5 minutes- stirring often- until they are still a bit crisp, but just beginning to soften& brown.
• (Check on your pasta again).
• Return the meat to the pan, and also add all of the remaining spices (cumin,Cajun seasoning, Ancho Chile powder,and a 2-4 splashes of hot sauce to taste), stirring to combine.
• Lower the heat just a bit to medium and slowly pour in the evaporated milk, stirring constantly to blend.
• Add the sour cream and the cheese and stir until everything has blended together.
• Raise the heat back to medium-high and let the sauce cook down just a bit- about 5 minutes or so, stirring- it will be quite thin, you may a dd a little more sour cream if you prefer it a bit thicker.
• Test the flavor for seasonings- adding a little more salt, hot sauce, cumin,etc if needed to suit your tastes.
• Toss drained, hot pasta with a little olive oil or butter to taste- just enough to keep it from sticking together (optional step).
• Divide pasta among 4 large dinner plates and ladle out the sauce into the center of each.
• Place a dollop of sour cream in the very center of each portion and sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro leaves over all.
• Serve immediately.
• NOTE:*You may use prechopped, bottled fresh garlic if desired.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the pasta, contents of seasoning packet, salsa, water, chili powder, salt and cayenne., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Stir in tomatoes; sprinkle with olives and cheese. Cover and simmer until heated through, 3-4 minutes. Serve with sour cream if desired.