Alfredo Zucchini Ribbons Food

ZUCCHINI RIBBON PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pasta pot, cook pasta "al dente", 1 or 2 minutes less than the package instructions call for. Drain.
• Meanwhile, slice off ends of zucchini and discard. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a mandoline, or carefully with a sharp knife, slice zucchini into very thin (about 1/8-inch) slices, trying to keep some skin on each piece for color. Stack slices and cut in half lengthwise. Reserve zucchini ribbons in a large bowl.
• In the pasta pot, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and translucent but not browned, about 1 minute. Add zucchini ribbons and 1/4 cup chicken broth, raise heat to medium-high and cook until zucchini is still somewhat firm but just cooked, about 3 minutes. Return pasta to pot and add remaining chicken stock; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until liquid has mostly absorbed into the pasta. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and toss to combine. Season with salt, to taste. Serve garnished with additional parsley, basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese.

ZUCCHINI RIBBONS WITH HERBED BUTTER

Steps:

• Slice the zucchini into long ribbons 1/16-inch thick using a mandoline slicer.
• Add the butter and oil to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots then the zucchini in two batches and toss through the hot butter and oil, using tongs, until soft, a good 4 to 5 minutes. Add the basil, parsley and lemon zest at the very end. Season the zucchini with salt and pepper and stir. Transfer to a serving bowl.

CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH ZUCCHINI RIBBONS

Steps:

• Slice the ends off the zucchini and discard. Using a mandoline or carefully with a sharp knife, slice the zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices. Stack the slices and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide ribbons.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add half the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the zucchini ribbons, cover, stirring occasionally, and cook until the zucchini is just tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper and cook until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
• Cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pasta pot.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Combine the flour and low-fat milk, stirring until the flour is dissolved. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the milk-flour mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add the evaporated skim milk, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the cheese and cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted, about 1 minute.
• Add 1 cup of the sauce, the zucchini, and 3 tablespoons of the parsley to the pasta in the pot and toss to combine. Add a little of the reserved pasta water as necessary to loosen the sauce.
• To serve, place 2 cups of the pasta mixture on each plate. Top with a piece of chicken. Drizzle with the remaining sauce and garnish with the remaining parsley.

ZUCCHINI ALFREDO

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half crosswise, then cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch wide strips to resemble fettucine noodles.
• (You should have about 8 cups when you're finished.) Toss the zucchini with salt in a large colander.
• Allow zucchini to drain for 1 hour.
• Rinse, then pat zucchini dry.
• In a large skillet, cook the zucchini and minced garlic in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes or until crisp- tender.
• Transfer the cooked zucchini to a large bowl.
• In the same skillet, heat the cream cheese and half-and-half over medium-low heat until smooth.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
• Add the zucchini to sauce in skillet; heat through.
• Transfer to a serving dish.
• Sprinkle with pepper, nutmeg and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.