Sunday Dinner - 09/19/2010

Whenever we go to the local farmer's market, I always buy a container of pastalaya (pasta jambalaya) for us to eat at lunch. (Pastalaya is a twist on the traditional Creole dish jambalaya made with pasta instead of rice.) While I'm not a huge fan of jambalaya, I LOVE pastalaya. All the meat, veg and sauce just work so well together. I used meats that are easily found in any NOLA supermarket. You can easily substitute whatever meat you like.

This dish doubles easily and freezes beautiful.You can make it as spicy as you like by how much cayenne or hot sauce you use.

Pastalaya Sauce
Instructions
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups Creole pre chopped veg mix

Or

½ cup onion, diced
1 cup bell pepper, diced
½ cup celery, diced

1 tbsp parsley
2 tbsps garlic, minced
½ tsp basil leaves
1 tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp white pepper
½ tsp black pepper
1.5 tsp salt
3 bay leaves
¼ cup green onion
2 (14oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 (14oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (14oz) cans chicken stock

Directions
Heat oil in heavy sauce pot on med heat. Add Creole mix, parsley, garlic, basil, black peppers, cayenne, salt, and bay leaves.

Cook until the bell pepper turns onions start to become transparent. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and stock. Bring to a boil; then simmer for 45mins – 1hr, stir occasionally.

Pastalaya
Instructions
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb andouille sausage (or any smoked sausage)
1 lb chicken breast meat
1 lb diced tasso (can eliminate/substitute w/ other sausage)
1 onion
1 bell pepper
2 tsp garlic, minced
2 cups sauce (below)
2 lbs pasta, cooked
1 cup provolone cheese
1 cup smoked gouda

Directions
Green onion slivers and crushed red pepper for garnish
Heat oil in large pan on med heat. Slice andouille, chicken and tasso thin. Add meat to oil until the chicken is just cooked.

Slice onion, bell pepper, and garlic thin. Add veg to meat in pan. Cook until garlic is done, about 5mins.

Add Creole sauce and bring to a boil.  Place pasta into a large bowl and cover with the (2 cups) sauce.

  Top the with the cheeses.

I love love love this. But I have made pastalaya in a long time. I'm so glad I made enough for leftovers. Hope y'all enjoy it too.

If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.

I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. What did y'all have for dinner?