Tag: Fusion
Caramelized Zucchini and Italian Sausage Pasta
Caramelized Zucchini and Italian Sausage Pasta
While this isn’t authentic Italian by any means, it’s nothing short of tasty. I’ve been hearing the craze of shellbow pasta, so I had to try it for myself. The pasta catches the sauce and its ingredients, making them the perfect pair for this recipe. The lemony breadcrumbs gives the pasta a nice, crispy texture. One of the best parts of this recipe is its versatility. You can substitute the sausage for chicken, shrimp, pancetta, ground turkey or beef, or go meatless. Can’t find shellbow pasta? You can use penne, bow tie, rigatoni, or any other sauce-catching shape.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1 lemon zested and juiced; separated
- 2 medium zucchini sliced into 1/4” thick rounds
- 1 lb shellbow pasta cooked according to package instructions; plus a 1/2 cup of pasta water
- 1/2 cup shallots thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb bulk mild Italian sausage
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup Italian basil torn
- 1 tbsp crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
- Heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Toss in the breadcrumbs and toast for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a bowl.
- Immediately toss the breadcrumbs with the lemon zest. Set aside.
- In the same saucepan over medium high heat, add the rest of the olive oil. Add the zucchini in a single layer; making sure to not overcrowd the pan. Lightly season with salt.
- Sauté for 5 minutes a side until the zucchini are caramelized. Remove from the pan. Depending on the size of your saucepan, you may have to cook your zucchini in batches.
- In the same pan over medium heat, add in the Italian sausage.
- Brown for 8 minutes. Add in the garlic and shallots and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Pour in the cream. Scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the pasta, lemon juice, and a 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Stir in the cheese and basil.
- Turn off the heat and toss in the caramelized zucchini.
- Serve with the toasted lemon breadcrumbs over the pasta.
Hot Dagos
Hot Dagos
Believe it or not, the hot dago is said to have originated from my hometown of Saint Paul, MN in my neighborhood of W. 7th street by Italian/Americans. This was something I ate all the time growing up and really miss. They are easy and cheap to make; plus they are just damn tasty. Some people make the hot dagos all beef; some all Italian sausage; and others with various percentages of the two meats. Once the patties are browned, they’re simmered in a marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese, and served over toasted Italian bread or ciabatta rolls.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb 90% lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb pork Italian sausage mild or spicy
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 tbsp parsley finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 ciabatta roll toasted
Marinara Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
- 1 Fresno chili finely chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1/4 cup basil finely chopped
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 16 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
Instructions
- Mix the hot dago ingredients together in a bowl.
- Form into 4 thin patties.
- Heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add in the patties.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes a side. Remove from the pan.
- Add in another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onions, mushrooms, garlic, and Fresno chili for 2 minutes.
- Toss in the parsley, basil, and oregano and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute.
- Pour in the canned tomatoes and red wine. Simmer covered for 5 minutes on low heat.
- Place the hot dagos in the sauce. Cover and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
- Place a 1/4 cup of mozzarella on each of the hot dagos.
- Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Place a patty and sauce on a toasted ciabatta roll.
Chinese “Spaghetti Bolognese”
Chinese “Spaghetti Bolognese”
Here is a dish that you won’t find in any Chinese restaurants. Chinese “spaghetti bolognese” is another great example of home cooking that is whipped up in 30 minutes. You can use ground pork, beef, chicken, turkey, and even shrimp as your protein.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry spaghetti prepared according to package directions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 24 oz ground pork or ground beef
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp shaoxing cooking wine
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1/3 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup of water
Instructions
- Heat up the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add in the ground pork and brown for 8 minutes.
- Add in the onions and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the shaoxing wine, chicken stock, soy sauces, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the peas. Cook for a minute.
- Pour in the slurry. Let thicken for a minute or two.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce. Cook for 2 minutes.
