Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Again, I apologize for the delay. I’ve spent the past week cooped up in the cinema school’s editing labs, tirelessly piecing together a couple of short films. (Ok, I lied—I get pretty tired of it after being there for 6+ hours at a time.) And while it feels amazing to finally break free from the labs and walk home at the end of the night, the little journey unfortunately leads me right past a Wendy’s.

This puts me in a bit of a pickle. Sure, the burgers are sloppily put together and the fries are kind of pathetic, but it’s ready right then and there. On the other hand, I could go home and make something delicious but probably time-intensive.

Or, I could have the best of both worlds.

That’s why I make my Cajun Chicken Pasta. It’s super easy to prepare and takes next to no time. Not to mention, it’s pretty damn tasty. The creamy sauce compliments the ever-so-slight kick of the chicken, which is just enough to give it some character without overwhelming the taste buds.

Really, it blows fast food out of the water without taking that much more time. Best of both worlds indeed.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
½ lb linguine pasta (half a package)
1 chicken breast
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1/3 cup heavy cream
½ cup milk
¼ cup grated parmesan
½ tsp salt
Chopped parsley and additional parmesan for garnish

Boil the pasta in salted water according to the box’s instructions.

Cut the chicken in half horizontally, then slice these halves into strips. Toss them in the Cajun seasoning and set aside.

In a large saucepan, bring the butter to medium heat. Once completely melted, add the chicken and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the olive oil and garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds, then mix in the pepper. Allow it to simmer for several minutes. 

Pour in the cream and milk, stirring constantly. Bring the pan back to medium heat and mix in the parmesan until thoroughly incorporated. Continue to cook until the milk no longer sits at the bottom of the pan and has thickened into a creamy sauce. Dish up the pasta and garnish with chopped parsley and additional parmesan. Makes 2 generous servings.

Grown Up Tuna Melts

I apologize for the delayed post—it’s been a hell of a week in school. Because I’ve been so busy, my kitchen hasn’t been properly stocked (at least to my standards). This led to a desperate search for something I could use to make a decent meal.

Standing in front of my pantry, I realized I had plenty of tuna that I never really got around to using. Sure, I could have made a basic tuna salad sandwich, but that’d be no fun. And then it came to me: Grown Up Tuna Melts.

To age this dish a bit, I substituted ciabatta for normal sliced bread, sweet Vidalia onions for celery and tangy aioli for mayonnaise. I also threw in some arugula, tomato and sliced avocado for good measure. All it was missing was a generous helping of cheese—I sprinkled mine with some mozzarella and cheddar for color.

Oh, the deliciousness that is born from necessity.

Grown Up Tuna Melts
2 small loaves ciabatta (or any rustic bread)
2 cans tuna
1/3 cup chopped Vidalia onion
¼ cup aioli (recipe follows)
½ tsp oregano
½ tbsp chopped fresh parsley
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
½ cup arugula or mixed greens
1 beefsteak tomato, sliced
1 avocado
½ cup shredded cheese of choice OR two slices (recommended: provolone)
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice the ciabatta in half and toast until golden. Set aside.

Drain the tuna, sifting through for any impurities. Mix it in a large bowl with the onion, aioli, oregano and parsley. If the aioli begins to break down, pour out the excess liquid. Taste the tuna and season with cayenne pepper, salt and pepper if necessary.

Arrange the arugula on the ciabatta halves and top with the slices of tomato. Carefully spoon the tuna onto the loaves. Slice the avocado and divide between the sandwiches. Top with cheese and additional pepper if desired. Broil for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Makes 4 open-faced sandwiches.

Basic Aioli
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ tsp salt
1 egg yolk
½ lemon, juiced
½ cup olive oil

Put the garlic, salt and yolk in a blender. Pulse until thoroughly incorporated. Add the lemon juice and mix again. Leaving the blender on, slowly pour in the olive oil. Continue to blend until the aioli is thick and light in color.

Completely From Scratch Prague Pizza

I was fortunate enough to spend the spring of 2010 abroad in the Czech Republic, though not so fortunate as to enjoy the Central European cuisine. Czech meals tend to consist of a slab of meat and a dense potato-based side, all covered in a thick gravy. I suppose you could say it wasn’t quite my cup of culinary tea. (I was not, however, opposed to the pint of beer consumed alongside these dishes.) 

Shortly into my stay, however, I stumbled upon a pizzeria just blocks away my apartment. I initially eyed it with suspicion, as the Czech version of international food is a bit skewed (their interpretation of Mexican food is particularly laughable). But after a bite or two, I was hooked. The flavor of sweet onions and peppers mingling with the subtle heat of the spicy salami was simply divine.

Never one to turn down a challenge, I’ve done my best to recreate the pizza—entirely from scratch (because it really does taste better that way). And while I may be thousands of miles away from Prague, it still tastes like what I used to call home.

Completely from Scratch Prague Pizza
1 batch Overnight Pizza Dough (recipe follows)
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
½ tsp salt
1 pinch red chili flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes
½ cup sliced Vidalia onion
1 bell pepper, preferably yellow, sliced
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 package spicy salami

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Knead the dough on a flour surface. If it is still sticky, gradually knead in flour. Set aside to rest. 

Bring 2 tbsp olive oil to medium-low heat in a saucepan. Sautee the onions until the oil starts to sizzle, then reduce the pan to low heat. Add the pepper, and allow it to continue to cook.

Meanwhile, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, the chili flakes, salt and garlic in a cold saucepan. Stir while bringing it to medium-high heat, then allow the garlic to sauté for about 30 seconds. Mix in the tomatoes and allow it to heat throughout. Once it begins to simmer, take it off the heat.

Roll out the dough to make two individual pizzas, transferring them onto a pan coated with cooking spray (preferably olive oil flavored). Spoon the sauce onto the dough and spread it out. Divide the mozzarella between the pizzas and scatter it over the sauce. Arrange the salami over the cheese, then top it with the onions and peppers. Bake at 500 for 10 minutes. Garnish with basil or additional red chili flakes. Makes 2 individual pizzas.

Overnight Pizza Dough
2 ¼ cups flour
1 ½ tsp salt
½ tsp instant yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/3 cups cold water

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Slowly stir in the olive oil and water until all the flour is absorbed. Continue to mix, by hand, for 5-7 minutes. The dough should be stick to the bottom of the bowl but not the sides. If it is too wet, slowly add small amounts of flour until it is no longer sticks to the side of the bowl.

Transfer the dough to a floured countertop and cut into two separate pieces. Flour your hands and roll the dough into balls. Put them in plastic ziplock bags and refrigerate them overnight.

BLT Pasta Salad

It’s far from picnic season, but that isn’t going to stop me from craving those kinds of foods. In fact, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s nothing like a cool and creamy pasta salad on a warm summer day. Of course, just because I can’t enjoy the sunshine doesn’t mean I won’t make the most awesome pasta salad possible. And I did.

I humbly submit for your approval BLT Pasta Salad. It combines subtle herbs with peppery arugula and fresh tomatoes, all held together by a creamy base. Most importantly, it’s finished with a modest portion of ever-delicious bacon. With those ingredients, it’s hard to go wrong—even if it’s not quite time for a picnic.

BLT Pasta Salad
3 cups corkscrew pasta
½ cup milk
10 slices thick-cut bacon
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp thyme
1/3 cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp sour cream
3/4 cup grape tomatoes
½ arugula, packed
2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp grated parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package’s instructions. Drain and rinse, then pour into a large bowl. Mix in the milk and set aside.

Cook the bacon on medium heat until crispy. Remove from pan and crumble. In a separate pan, bring 1 tsp of the bacon drippings to low heat. Add the garlic and thyme, allowing it to cook for no more than a minute. Pour the garlic and drippings into the bowl of pasta and mix. Stir in the mayonnaise and sour cream until thoroughly incorporated.

Halve the grape tomatoes and add them, along with the arugula, to the pasta. Gently toss to coat the vegetables. Mix in all but 1 tsp of the bacon. Stir in the parsley, parmesan, salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining bacon and additional parsley. Makes 6 servings.

Spinach Artichoke Nachos

Superbowl Sunday is just around the corner, so I figured I’d throw in my two cents. Given my affinity for cooking and my lack of the sports gene, it’s no surprise that my favorite part of the Superbowl is the food. Sure, the commercials are entertaining, and one might argue that the game is too, but there’s nothing quite like throwing caution to the wind and indulging in a ridiculously unhealthy but ecstasy-inducing feast.

That’s why I came up with a recipe for Spinach Artichoke Nachos. It’s spinach and artichoke dip at its finest, really. The rich combination of cream cheese, parmesan and mozzarella makes for a delicious base for to the fresh spinach, tangy artichoke and buttery garlic. Not to mention, you get to cut out the middleman—no dipping necessary.

The recipe makes a generous amount of nachos that, if doubled, is perfectly party-sized—even for a ravenous group of football lovers. Or just food lovers. Wait, who’s playing again?

Spinach Artichoke Nachos
3 cups fresh spinach
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup grated parmesan
¾ cup canned artichoke, chopped
3 tbsp cream cheese
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
3 cups tortilla chips
¾ cup shredded mozzarella, divided

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

In a large pan, bring the olive oil and butter to medium heat. Once fully melted, add the spinach and cook until completely wilted. Add the garlic and stir for another minute. Remove the spinach from the pan and chop.

Return the spinach to the pan and mix in the parmesan. Once the cheese is melted, add the artichoke. Slowly stir in the cream cheese until it is fully incorporated. Season with the salt and pepper, and take off the heat.

Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread out the tortilla chips. Sprinkle ½ cup of the mozzarella over the chips, then cover with the spinach artichoke dip. Scatter the remaining ¼ cup mozzarella over the chips, and bake at 325 for 7-10 minutes.

Easiest Tortilla Soup

I’m a bit cautious in making the following statement, as individuals from anywhere but Southern California will undoubtedly mock me: it is actually kind of cold here in Los Angeles. (Remember, we’re used to 75 degree weather.)  The notion of walking home from class at 10pm in such arctic conditions, therefore, is rather daunting.

(Alright, now I’m just being dramatic, but bear with me—there’s a recipe in it for you.)

Upon arriving home, I’m obviously going to want something hot—and something that my frostbitten hands will still be able to prepare.  Cue the easiest and most delicious recipe for winter comfort food: Tortilla Soup.

20 minutes is all it takes to prepare this budget- and time-friendly dish. It’s flavorful enough to serve as an entrée, and hearty enough to keep you satisfied. And, best of all, it tastes even better reheated—just pop it in the microwave and you’re ready to go.

I guarantee it’ll warm even the coldest of hearts, whether they are beyond Los Angeles or not.

Tortilla Soup
1 medium white onion
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ lb. ground turkey
1 tsp cumin
¼ tsp salt
1 can diced tomatoes with chili
1 8oz can tomato sauce
4 cups chicken stock
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn
1 tsp enchilada sauce mix OR 1 tbsp enchilada sauce
½ cup shredded Mexican mixed cheese, or cheddar and jack
1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
Sour cream, sliced avocado and cilantro to garnish (optional)

Coarsely chop the onion and add it, with the vegetable oil, to a large pot on medium-low heat. Cook until the onion semi-transparent, about 7-8 minutes, being careful not to let it brown. Add the garlic and stir for an additional minute.

Bring the pot to medium heat and mix in the ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks. Continue to stir until the meat is cooked throughout, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cumin, as well as the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Once thoroughly incorporated, add the chicken stock, followed by the black beans and corn. Mix in the enchilada seasoning/sauce and allow it to simmer for another few minutes.

To serve, divide the soup into bowls. Sprinkle each with a portion of the shredded cheese followed by the crushed tortilla chips. If desired, garnish with sour cream, avocado and cilantro. Makes 8 servings.

Beef Chow Mein

Being a full-time student with a part-time job, I have a pretty hectic schedule. I’ll have an hour off here or there but then not get home till 9pm or later. And after a 13-hour day, you know I’ll be hungry. Although all the cards are stacked against me, I refuse to let the quality of my cooking suffer.

That’s why I love to make chow mein. I’ll marinate the beef and chop the vegetables the night before (or even during my odd hour-long breaks), and then prepare the meal itself when I get home for the night. It’s easy, delicious, and even fits into my crazy schedule. It’s a win-win-win situation.
 

Beef Chow Mein
1 top sirloin steak
4 tbsp soy sauce, plus 1 tbsp
1 tsp sesame oil
1 green pepper
1 white onion
3 stalks celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp vegetable oil
6 oz. chow mein noodles
½ cup chicken stock

Slice the steak into thin strips, then cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix 4 tbsp soy sauce and sesame oil. Add the beef and stir to coat. Let it marinate for at least an hour.

Chop the pepper, white onion and celery into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, bring the oil to medium-high heat and mix in the vegetables. After a few minutes, add the garlic and stir. Allow the vegetables to cook until they just start to brown along the edges.

Meanwhile, heat a pot of boiling water and prepare the chow mein according to the package’s directions.

Bring a separate pan to medium heat and add the beef, allowing it to cook until browned around the edges. 

Once cooked, add the beef to the vegetables.  Add the chicken stock and bring it to high heat. Once the chicken stock comes to a boil, add the cooked chow mein and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Mix in the remaining soy sauce and serve.

Creamy Garlic Pasta

There are few things I love as much as cheese. One of these few things, however, is garlic.

I’m the kind of person that nearly doubles the amount of garlic a recipe calls for because I feel like I can never get enough of it, and you can bet I always pair garlic bread with my pasta. This time, however, I decided to cut out the middleman and go straight for garlic pasta.

It’s rich and creamy, while the fresh parsley gives it a nice bit of color and flavor. But more importantly, it gives me my garlic fix. And when I can combine my two loves, garlic and cheese? Now that’s a beautiful thing.

Creamy Garlic Pasta
2 tsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter
¼  tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
3 cups chicken stock
½ lb spaghetti or angel hair pasta
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

In a pot, bring the olive oil to medium-low heat. Add the garlic and stir, allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the butter until melted. Add the salt, pepper and chicken stock. Raise the heat to high and let it come to a boil. 

Once it is at a rolling boil, add the pasta and cook for as long as the box’s directions indicate. Reduce the stove to medium heat and mix in the parmesan until completely melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and parsley. Serve immediately.

Ultimeat Pasta

Since I’m visiting home for my winter break, I take over dinner duties every now and then. That means I’m feeding a family of four, and a hungry one at that—I need to serve up some heavy-duty food.

My recipe for Ulimeat Pasta, therefore, was born from necessity (and quite a bit of craving). Boasting over two pounds of meat including ground beef, Italian sausage and pancetta/bacon, this pasta packs one hell of a meaty punch. You could even throw in some meatballs if you so desired (and you know you do).

Pair this Ultimeat Pasta with some hearty garlic bread and salad, and you’ve got yourself a hefty meal—even for a family of four.

Ultimeat Pasta
1 lb penne pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
1 white onion
1 lb Italian sausage
2 cloves garlic
½  lb ground beef
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
½ lb pancetta or bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tsp salt
1 pinch pepper
Shredded mozzarella and chopped parsley to garnish

Boil the pasta according to the package’s directions, salting the water liberally. As the pasta cooks, bring the olive oil to low heat in a large pot. Chop the onion and sauté in the oil for about 20 minutes, or until semi-transparent.

While the onion sautés, cube the sausage. Coat a pan with cooking spray and cook the sausage on high heat until it is slightly golden around the edges. Take off the heat and set aside.

Mince the garlic and add it to the onions, stirring for a few minutes. Bring the pot to high heat and add the ground beef, allowing it to cook until completely browned. Stir in the tomatoes, sausage and bacon,

Take off the heat and fold in the ricotta cheese. Garnish with the shredded mozzarella and parsley.

Pear and Brie Salad with Candied Walnuts

It’s a New Year, which means it’s time for a new look. (Fun fact: the new header image contains 8 varieties of cheese.)

Now, I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but I think it’s safe to say I hope to do a lot of simple, but delicious, cooking. So, I’m going to start off the year with my mother’s recipe for Pear and Brie Salad. It combines butter lettuce (the best kind of lettuce) with fresh fruit, candied walnuts, and is topped with a delicate lemon vinaigrette.  It’s light, fresh and super easy to prepare.

Why, I believe that meets all the requirements of my New Year’s resolution.

Pear and Brie Salad
1 package butter lettuce or mixed greens
1 wedge brie cheese
1 pear
1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pinch salt and pepper
1 ½ cups candied walnuts (recipe follows) 

Place the lettuce on a plate. Cube the brie and pear and scatter them over the lettuce.

Cut the lemon in half and squeeze its juice into a small bowl. Add the olive oil, salt and pepper. Whisk with a fork until thoroughly mixed. Pour the dressing over the salad, then top with candied walnuts.

Candied Walnuts
2 tbsp butter
1 ½ cups walnuts
4 tbsp sugar
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350.

Melt the butter on low heat in a large pan. Add the walnuts and stir to coat them with the butter. After several minutes, mix in the sugar. Sprinkle the nuts with the cayenne pepper, and stir again. 

Place the nuts on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.