Penne A La Santa Fe Recipes

RESTAURANT-STYLE SANTA FE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil and add the Rotini pasta and cook according to package directions. Rinse under cold running water and drain well.
• Stir the tomato juice, olive oil, vinegar, chili powder, paprika, salt and black pepper together. Toss it with the drained pasta and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
• Combine the Parmesan cheese, corn kernels, cilantro, scallions, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and diced chicken breast. Combine with the chilled pasta mixture and cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight before serving.

SANTA FE CHICKEN PASTA (COPYCAT)

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.

SANTA FE PENNE PRIMAVERA W/CUMIN-ANCHO CHILE CREAM SAUCE

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.

PENNE A LA SANTA FE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• Roast the green chiles over a flame until blackened. Let cool in a paper bag, then peel but do not rinse. When cool enough to handle, chop and set aside.
• Toast the pine nuts until golden in a dry pan over low heat. Dice the roast chicken and the sun-dried tomatoes.
• Add the olive oil to a large pan and saute the onion and garlic until golden. Stir in the chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and green chile and cook for 1 minute. Season with plenty of salt and pepper, to taste. Drain the penne and add it to the pan. Toss until all of the ingredients are evenly mixed. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with toasted pine nuts... Buon Appetito!