Southwestern Pasta Gratin Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the first 8 ingredients until blended. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water., In a large bowl, mix pasta, corn, beans, tomatoes, olives, peppers, onion and 1/4 cup cilantro. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving., Just before serving, top with avocado and the remaining cilantro.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large bowl combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic. Stir in pasta and set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with tomatoes and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

SOUTHWESTERN POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Char chiles over gas flame or in a broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and chop chiles.
• Butter a 13-inch-by-9-inch-by- 2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle garlic over bottom of dish.
• Arrange 1/4 of the potatoes in the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then 1/3 of the chiles and 1/3 of the cilantro. Repeat layering of potatoes, chiles and cilantro, 2 more times, seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with any remaining potatoes.
• Pour broth over, then cream. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake until potatoes are tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Uncover, sprinkle cheeses over the potatoes and continue baking until liquid thickens, about 15 minutes.
• Cool slightly. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve and enjoy.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• Peel sweet onions and cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick; separate slices into rings.
• In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions, chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, corn and chiles and cook 2 minutes longer.
• Pour in the chicken stock and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Combine the sauce, cooked pasta, cilantro and goat cheese, stirring and tossing to soften the cheese.