Smoky Chicken Peppers Mac Food

SMOKY CHIPOTLE AND CHEDDAR MAC

Steps:

• Place a pot of water on to boil for macaroni. When it boils, salt water and cook pasta until a little under done, just shy of al dente.
• While pasta cooks, place a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and chorizo. Brown the chorizo then add the canned tomatoes to the pan and heat them through. Remove from heat and reserve.
• While chorizo begins to cook, heat a medium sauce pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, then add onions and chipotles and cook 3 to 5 minutes to sweat it out and turn the juices sweet. Raise heat up a bit, add the flour and whisk together until mixture bubbles up. Cook 1 minute more. Whisk in milk and stock and raise heat up a little more to bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once it bubbles, drop heat back to a rolling simmer sauce to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Drain macaroni or pasta. Add cooked pasta back to the large pot.
• Add cheese to milk sauce and stir to melt, a minute or so. Stir in chorizo and tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over cooked pasta in large pot and toss to combine. Transfer to a large serving platter, garnish with chives and serve.

SMOKY CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• You need 15 skewers: if wooden, soak in water for 10 mins. Cut chicken into 3cm pieces and place in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, the spices, garlic and vinegar, toss well and season. You can do this up to a day before and refrigerate.
• Thread 2-3 pieces on each skewer. Pour remaining oil in a frying pan or rub onto a griddle pan. Get the pan hot and sear the chicken for 3-4 mins on each side - you may have to do this in batches, keeping the cooked skewers warm in a low oven. Serve with smoky aïoli if you like.