Everything But The Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad Recipes

KITCHEN SINK SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing:
• In a blender combine all ingredients except olive oil. Pulse several times until well combined. Once combined, turn machine on and slowly add in olive oil. Chill until ready to use.
• To prepare the salad:
• In a medium fry pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta until crispy. Remove to paper-towel lined plate to drain and cool. Clean out pan with paper towel and in same pan over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts. Remove to a plate and set aside to cool. Wash and dry greens, place in refrigerator to chill 10 to 15 minutes. Also chill individual salad plates or a platter if serving salad family-style.
• When ready to serve, in a large bowl toss together salad greens, cucumber and tomato with just enough dressing to lightly coat salad. Place salad on chilled individual plates or platter. Dress top of salad with pancetta, pine nuts, olives, Gorgonzola and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

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.

EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and salt and sauté until they begin to brown and their liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool in the refrigerator.
• Bring a medium pot half full of generously salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 2 1/2 minutes. Strain and cool the asparagus under cold running water.
• Combine the mushrooms, asparagus, romaine, fennel, and vinaigrette in a large mixing bowl and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving platter and top with warm balls.