Southwestern Pasta Gratin Food

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place cooked pasta in a large bowl, add peppers, onions, tomatillo, corn and lima beans. Place vinegar and chipotle peppers in a blender and blend until smooth. Slowly add olive oil until emulsified and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the salad with the dressing and add cilantro.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• Peel sweet onions and cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick; separate slices into rings.
• In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions, chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, corn and chiles and cook 2 minutes longer.
• Pour in the chicken stock and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Combine the sauce, cooked pasta, cilantro and goat cheese, stirring and tossing to soften the cheese.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high and position the rack 8 inches from the heat.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil; salt the boiling water and cook the pasta until slightly undercooked-a little chewy at the center.
• While the water is coming to a boil, preheat a large skillet over med-high heat with the vegetable oil.
• Season the chicken with cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper; add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Add in the onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers; continue to cook 5 minutes.
• While the chicken is cooking with the onions, make the cheddar sauce.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour to it.
• Cook 1-2 minutes over medium heat, then whisk in the milk.
• When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese, cilantro, and parsley with a wooden spoon.
• Season with a little salt and pepper; remove cheese sauce from heat.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add back into the large pot.
• Add in the contents of the chicken skillet and all the cheddar sauce; stir to combine.
• Transfer mixture to a baking dish and place under the broiler to lightly brown.

SOUTHWESTERN POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Char chiles over gas flame or in a broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and chop chiles.
• Butter a 13-inch-by-9-inch-by- 2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle garlic over bottom of dish.
• Arrange 1/4 of the potatoes in the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then 1/3 of the chiles and 1/3 of the cilantro. Repeat layering of potatoes, chiles and cilantro, 2 more times, seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with any remaining potatoes.
• Pour broth over, then cream. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake until potatoes are tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Uncover, sprinkle cheeses over the potatoes and continue baking until liquid thickens, about 15 minutes.
• Cool slightly. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve and enjoy.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA GRATIN

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente, about 8 minutes.
• When pasta is cooked, drain and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350°; lightly oil a 2 1/2-quart baking dish.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over med-low heat, add in the garlic and jalapeno; cook until softened, about 1 minute.
• Add in the beans, chili powder, and oregano.
• Stir in the picante sauce and tomatoes; mix well.
• Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a big bowl, combine the macaroni with the bean-tomato mixture and transfer to the prepared dish.
• Top with the cheese.
• Cover and bake for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and continue baking 5-10 minutes longer or until the top is lightly browned.