Pasta And Zucchini Modified From Pioneer Woman Food

ZUCCHINI NOODLES

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zucchini into long ribbons.
• Set a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and heat the butter and olive oil. Add the zucchini and toss around in the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan, tomatoes and garlic and toss to heat through. Sprinkle over the basil and serve within a few minutes, before the zucchini gets too soft!

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and mushrooms and saute until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until it wilts. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, trim the ends of the zucchini. Using a knife, carefully slice the zucchini lengthwise into thin strips, about 1/16 inch thick. If the zucchini looks watery, lay the slices on paper towels to absorb excess moisture before using.
• Grate the mozzarella cheese and set aside.
• Cut the basil into a chiffonade by stacking the leaves on top of one another, rolling them tightly and then cutting across. Finely chop the parsley. In a medium bowl, combine the herbs, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the eggs, salt and pepper and stir well.
• To assemble the lasagna, place a third of the mushrooms and spinach mixture over the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spoon a layer of marinara on top and cover with half of the zucchini strips, carefully overlapping the edges. Spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture onto the zucchini and spread to distribute evenly. Sprinkle half the mozzarella on top of the cottage cheese mixture. Repeat the process above, layering the mushrooms and spinach, marinara, the remaining zucchini strips, cottage cheese, and mozzarella into the dish. Top with the remaining mushrooms and spinach, followed by a final layer of marinara.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of the Parmesan over the top and bake until the lasagna is hot and bubbly, about 40 minutes. Allow to stand for 35 minutes before cutting into squares.

SHRIMP WITH ZUCCHINI NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the shrimp, onion, garlic, chile flakes, salt and pepper, then cook until the onions are translucent and the shrimp are opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white wine, then allow it to boil and reduce slightly, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet. Cook until the zucchini is tender, about 2 more minutes. Add the tomatoes and lemon zest to the skillet, then toss to combine. Sprinkle over the Parmesan and garnish with the basil leaves. Remove the smashed garlic cloves and serve straight from the skillet.

PIONEER WOMAN'S PASTA SALAD WITH TOMATOES, ZUCCHINI AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook bowtie pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. Add olive oil and lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pioneer Woman says DO NOT UNDERSALT! Toss and then add zucchini, tomatoes, parsley and feta cheese. Toss.
• Add more of whatever you think it needs. PW says she likes to go heavy on the feta. Squeeze in a little more lemon juice and/or drizzle in a little more olive oil if it looks like it needs more moisture. Cover and refrigerate a few hours before serving.

PIONEER WOMAN'S PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes.
• Time to start sautéing the veggies in batches, cooking only 1 or 2 minutes (at most) each.
• Add broccoli and carrots to onion & garlic. Cook only for a minute, then remove to separate plate. Add another tablespoon of butter to pan and add red pepper strips. Cook for one minute, then remove. Repeat with remaining veggies, being very careful not to overcook; veggies at this point should still be somewhat raw/crunchy.
• When all veggies have been removed and skillet is empty, pour ½ to 1 glass of dry white wine to pan.
• With whisk, begin to scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen all the nice, flavorful bits from the bottom. Cooking over medium heat, add ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 cup whipping cream, and 1 cup half and half.
• Add ½ cup grated Parmesan. Stir together and cook until thick, adding salt & pepper to taste. Taste sauce as you go; don't oversalt, but don't undersalt either!
• Chiffonade fresh basil leaves, and stir into sauce. Now add all the veggies, including frozen peas, at once. Stir gently to combine; if sauce seems to thick, add equal parts half & half and chicken broth to thin. Cook over low heat until warm, just a couple of minutes. You don't want soggy veggies! Taste & check seasoning; add more salt & pepper if needed.
• Dump in al dente penne pasta, stir to combine thoroughly, and pour onto a large platter. Garnish with more basil leaves, throw on some more Parmesan, and gobble it up!

PASTA AND ZUCCHINI - MODIFIED FROM PIONEER WOMAN

Steps:

• Start by cutting the veggies into quarters. Then, heat oil over medium heat and add zucchini. Sprinkle with salt.
• Cook until zucchini is just starting to get tender -- you don't want it to get mushy. Then, remove from the pan and set aside.
• Then, start the water for your pasta.
• In the same skillet, add garlic, onion and mushrooms, and saute.
• Then, add in the tomatoes, and 1/3 C broth. Add 1 T flour to the remaining 1/3 C of broth and mix well. Then, add to the tomato mix.
• Add in 1/2 C whipping cream. Stir until slightly thickened.
• Then, add back in the zucchini.
• Season with pepper and allow to simmer for just a few minutes.
• Drain the pasta and pour into a serving dish.
• Season with herbs, to taste.
• Pour the sauce over the top --
• Then toss, adding more herbs as desired.
• To serve, top with Parmesan cheese.
• Yummy. Next time, I think we'll be adding grilled chicken to this great and quick pasta.
• *You may need up to 1 pound of pasta.