Cajun pasta

Combining pasta, chicken and cream is comfort food at its best..ad.d in the Cajun spices and this dish takes on a brand new taste. Cajun cooking comes from the native French-speaking Acadian descendants inhabiting Louisiana and parts of other Southern states. Bell peppers, onion and celery form the base of most dishes. Parsley, bay leaves, and scallions are commonly used, as well as garlic and cayenne pepper. Cajun cuisine as a whole has been called “more Mediterranean than North American”.

 Ingredients:

200 gm spaghetti

2 boneless chicken breast (cut in to strips)

2 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 tbsp vinegar

2 tbsp butter

 1 medium onion (finally chopped)

1 red bell pepper (sliced)

1 green bell pepper (sliced)

4-6 mushrooms (sliced)

1 green onion (chopped)

1 cup cream (heavy, single sour, whichever is available)

¼ tsp dried basil

 3 tbsp tomato puree (use ketchup if you don’t have puree at hand)

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp ground black pepper

2 slices of cheddar cheese

For Cajun seasoning:

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1& 1/2 tsp paprika

½ tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp red chili powder

 3/4 tsp dried oregano

¾ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp red pepper flakes

Stir together all the above ingredients until well blended then store in a air tight jar.

Method:

1) Marinated the chicken strips with 2 tsp of Cajun seasoning and a tbsp of vinegar, leave aside for 30 minutes.

2) Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add pasta and cook until done or as per packet instruction.

Now melt 2 tbsp of butter in a pan, add in the onions and sauté till they turn translucent, then add in the chicken and cook until done.

3) Add in the mushrooms, green bell pepper, red bell pepper and green onions, stir fry for another 2-3 minutes.

4) Reduce the heat; add in the cream, tomato puree, 2 cheese slices, basil, salt, black pepper and garlic pepper, heat through, let it cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat. (Now if you feel the sauce is too thick you can add ½  cup of milk or chicken stock).  Turn of the flame and serve hot. 

Note:  For serving you can mix pasta in the sauce or serve the pasta and sauce separately.