Kitchen Sink Pasta Food

KITCHEN SINK CHIPOTLE & SMOKED MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta al dente.
• Dice up mozzarella, artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes (i like to use kitchen shears for the sun dried toms).
• Toss cooled pasta (don't want to melt the cheese or maybe you do!) with all the other ingredients.
• Pour reserved sun dried tomato oil (use whatever you need to get it saucy), chipotle sauce (use whatever you desire for spiciness) over pasta, salt and pepper and toss to coat.
• If you can't find the chipotle garnishing sauce (I can't remember where I found mine and it is almost out!) just use some diced up, about 2, chipotles in adobo sauce or just the adobo sauce and add some mayo, about 1/4 cup to make it creamy and you should be fine. I'm all about shortcuts tho so i hope i can find more!
• Refrigerate for a couple hours, but I like overnight.
• Add chopped up spinach before serving at room temperature.
• Oh and don't forget the salt.i feel that salt really makes the flavors of the chipotles come alive!

VEGGIE " EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK" PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Tomato Puree.
• Fill a large bowl 2/3 of the way with water and ice.
• Fill medium size sauce pan with 3 cups water to a boil.
• Cut an "X" shape at the top of 8 small tomatoes just enough to pierce the skin.
• With tongs place the cut tomatoes in the boiling water for 30 seconds.
• Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water one at a time and place in the ice bath, soak for 1-2 minutes.
• Remove the tomatoes from the ice bath, pulling the skin from the star end to the bottom.
• If you want to remove the seeds, half the tomatoes and scoop.
• Place skinned tomatoes in food processor or blender and puree.
• Set aside or in refrigerator until needed.
• Sauce.
• In large stock/sauce pot brown sausages, breaking into pieces as you like.
• Add chopped onion, and mix. Cook until onions begin to look clearish.
• Add the garlic and saute for about a minute, watch it doesn't burn.
• With the tomatoes ready and waiting (diced, pureed and paste), pour 1/4 cup red wine into the pan and using a plastic spatula scrape anything sticking to the bottom of the pan up ("Deglazing").
• Add the tomato sauce, paste, and diced tomatoes.
• Add zucchini, red pepper, carrot, (and optional celery).
• Stir to evenly mix and coat all vegetables.
• Add basil, parsley, oregano, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt & pepper to taste.
• Mix well and evaluate water content.
• If the liquid level is not enough to cover the vegetables add water until almost covered. The vegetables will reduce down as they cook, and also thin the sauce as their water escapes.
• Bring to a boil and simmer on low, stirring frequently, for one hour.
• For a richer flavored sauce simmer longer, just add more water before boiling.
• Add olives and mushrooms about 30 minutes before serving, and simmer.
• Cook spaghetti according to package directions, (using fresh if possible).
• Spoon sauce over noodles and top with parmesan.