Zoo Pasta Recipes

SEAFOOD PASTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• Stir in the red pepper flakes (optional), then add the pureed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until sauce has just started to thicken. Stir in the butter, then remove the sauce from the heat.
• While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package directions.
• Drain the pasta, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan.
• Cook the scallops for 1-2 minutes per side or until browned and opaque.
• Remove the scallops from the pan. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and add them to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until pink and opaque.
• Remove the shrimp from the pan. Place the clams and mussels in the pan, along with the reserved pasta water. Bring to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes or until clams and mussels have opened. Discard any shells that did not open.
• Add the shrimp and scallops back to the pan along with the tomato sauce and spaghetti. Toss to coat everything with the sauce.
• Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

PASTA FAZOOL (PASTA E FAGIOLI)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown sausage while breaking it into small pieces, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced celery and chopped onion. Cook until onions are translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add dry pasta. Cook and stir 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste until evenly distributed, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3 cups broth. Raise heat to high and bring to a simmer. Add salt, black pepper, pepper flakes, and oregano. When soup comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium and let it simmer about 5 minutes, stirring often. Check soup consistency and add more broth, if needed.
• Place chopped chard in a bowl. Cover with cold water and rinse the leaves; any grit will fall to the bottom of the bowl. Transfer chard to colander to drain briefly; add to soup. Cook and stir until leaves wilt, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in white beans; continue cooking and stirring until pasta is perfectly cooked, another 4 or 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in grated cheese. Serve topped with grated cheese, if desired.

ZOO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat.
• Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Remove pasta from heat and drain carefully in colander. Return pasta to pot. Add vegetables and salad dressing. Stir over medium-heat until heated through; about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

ZOO MIX

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Add the butter to a small pot and place over medium heat. Melt the butter and cook until the milk solids start to turn golden brown and release a toasty and nutty aroma, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the animal crackers, rainbow crackers, pretzel crackers, graham crackers and Cheddar crackers. Add the brown butter and toss to coat all the crackers. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan.
• Bake until the crackers absorb the brown butter mixture, 4 to 5 minutes. You don't want the crackers to brown. Let cool to room temperature. Add the diced apricots and mix to combine.

PASTA FAZOOL

Steps:

• Add the EVO, onion, garlic, carrot and celery to a 1-2 gal. cooking pot.
• Cook on medium low heat until they are soft and the onions transparent (Appr. 15-20 mins).
• While the vegetables are cooking, mix the beef, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, 2 TBS. parsley flakes, 1/2 tbs. basil, bread crumbs, 2 Tbs. parseman cheese, S & P. Shape into tiny meatballs (Appr. 1/2 " in diameter) are fry until done. You may need to cook several batches, depending on the size of your skillet.
• After the vegetables have cooked, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and the rest of the parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf, sugar, & baking soda. Stir occasionally until foam disappears from the baking soda.
• Cook until well mixed and add the meatballs.
• Simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours and then add the beans. Simmer for another 30 to 45 minutes. Add water to the soup if it seems to get too thick.
• While the soup is simmering, Cook the ditalini noodles until they are a-denti. DO NOT OVERCOOK!
• Add the pasta to the soup just before serving. Do not add the pasta to the soup too soon! The longer the soup cooks with the noodles, the larger the noodles get.
• Serve with a crusty bread, green salad, and extra Parmesan cheese.
• Measurements are not brain surgery. Be close, and you cannot make a mistake. ENJOY!