Penne A La Santa Fe Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S PENNE WITH VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook and stir bacon and rosemary sprig with olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until bacon renders its fat but is not crisp, about 5 minutes. Pour vodka into the skillet, standing back to avoid any flare-ups. Raise heat to high and continue to cook until the vodka reduces to about 2 tablespoons.
• Pour heavy cream into skillet, stir briefly, and add black pepper; bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until sauce has slightly reduced, 3 to 4 minutes. Mix marinara sauce and water into cream mixture and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and simmer sauce 20 to 25 minutes to blend flavors.
• Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still chewy, about 10 minutes; drain and return to pot. Pour sauce over penne and stir to combine. Turn off heat, cover pot with a lid, and let stand 5 minutes for pasta to absorb sauce. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

PENNE A LA RUSSE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne for 20 minutes or until done to your taste.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan adding crushed peppers.
• Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat.
• Add vodka and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce and mix thoroughly.
• Add cream slowly being careful not to curdle it.
• Bring sauce to a simmer slowly.
• Drain pasta and add sauce mixing thoroughly.
• Add Parmesan cheese and mix well.
• Serve immediately.

PENNE RUSTICA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl; mix in shrimp and prosciutto.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate. Brush olive oil over chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 5 minutes per side. Cool briefly before slicing into strips. Add to the penne mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Prepare the sauce by melting butter over medium-low heat. Add garlic, cover, and cook until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Pour in Marsala wine and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, milk, chicken broth, cornstarch, mustard, rosemary, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors combine, about 10 minutes.
• Pour sauce over the penne mixture and mix well. Transfer to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and paprika over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top slightly browns, 10 to 12 minutes.

SANTA FE PENNE PRIMAVERA W/CUMIN-ANCHO CHILE CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• (Start boiling the water for your pasta and cook it according to package directions.) Meanwhile, add approximately 1 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 2 Tbsp fresh chopped garlic to a large,heavy,deep nonstick skillet and set the heat to medium-high.
• Add the ground meat to the pan and cook, stirring often,to brown the meat, breaking up any lumps with your spoon so it crumbles.
• Once the meat has fully cooked (about 5 minutes or so), use a slotted spoon to remove it to a small bowl and set aside; drain any remaining fat/oil from the pan and wipe dry with a paper towel (watch out for your fingers).
• Using the same skillet, add approximately 1 teaspoon more oil to the pan, along with 1 teaspoon of garlic and all of the chopped red onions.
• Saute,over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes or until onion is translucent& lightly browned, stirring often.
• (Don't forget to check on your pasta).
• As soon as the onions have softened a bit and are lightly browned, add the peppers to the pan and continue to stir about 1-2 minutes more.
• Add the zucchini and the corn, stirring to coat well.
• Add the seasoned salt and about 8 grinds of black pepper, stirring well to coat the vegetables.
• Let the veggies cook about 5 minutes- stirring often- until they are still a bit crisp, but just beginning to soften& brown.
• (Check on your pasta again).
• Return the meat to the pan, and also add all of the remaining spices (cumin,Cajun seasoning, Ancho Chile powder,and a 2-4 splashes of hot sauce to taste), stirring to combine.
• Lower the heat just a bit to medium and slowly pour in the evaporated milk, stirring constantly to blend.
• Add the sour cream and the cheese and stir until everything has blended together.
• Raise the heat back to medium-high and let the sauce cook down just a bit- about 5 minutes or so, stirring- it will be quite thin, you may a dd a little more sour cream if you prefer it a bit thicker.
• Test the flavor for seasonings- adding a little more salt, hot sauce, cumin,etc if needed to suit your tastes.
• Toss drained, hot pasta with a little olive oil or butter to taste- just enough to keep it from sticking together (optional step).
• Divide pasta among 4 large dinner plates and ladle out the sauce into the center of each.
• Place a dollop of sour cream in the very center of each portion and sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro leaves over all.
• Serve immediately.
• NOTE:*You may use prechopped, bottled fresh garlic if desired.