Dexters Mediterranean Pasta Toss Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA CAESAR TOSS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook ravioli according to package directions, adding beans during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain., In a serving bowl, combine the ravioli mixture, tomatoes and pepper. Add dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
• While the water boils and pasta cooks, prep your vegetables and remaining ingredients: mince the garlic; halve the cherry tomatoes; drain and roughly chop the artichokes; drain and slice the olives in half. Once the vegetables start cooking, the recipe goes quickly, so you want to be ready.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the tomatoes, garlic, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes begin to break down and release some juices into the oil, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add the artichokes and olives. Drizzle the lemon juice over the pasta. Continue tossing and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until warmed through. If the pasta seems too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as desired. Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley. Toss once more and enjoy.

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Pasta cooking directions:.
• 1. Bring water to a boil and add capellini/angle hair pasta.
• 2. Reduce heat and cover until pasta is cooked.
• 3. Drain and toss with 1 ounce extra virgin olive oil.
• Mediterranean Toss directions:.
• 1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium high heat.
• 2. Add chicken (cook 8-10 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked).
• 3. Add garlic and toss.
• 4. Add artichokes, olives and a pinch of salt and pepper. Do not toss ingredients.
• 5. Add white wine so it can absorb the seasonings and cook the garlic.
• 6. Toss ingredients and let alcohol cook off and reduce in volume by half.
• 7. Add pesto, tossing until ingredients are evenly coated.
• 8. Throw in pasta and toss.
• 9. Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute.
• 10. Add spinach and toss until spinach is slightly wilted.
• 11. Add feta and toss lightly until everything is mixed*.
• 12. EAT!
• * You could also plate the pasta and then sprinkle the feta on top instead of tossing it inches.

DEXTER'S MEDITERRANEAN PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• 1. Heat sauté pan to medium hot. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and fennel. To pan, add butter and shrimp. Sauté until spices are singed. They should be a little brown and nutty. Add the garlic and toss. Add the artichokes, olives, tomatoes and another pinch of salt and pepper. Do not toss ingredients. Immediately refresh pan with the white wine to let the wine absorb the seasonings and cook the garlic. Toss ingredients and let alcohol cook off and reduce in volume by half. Add chicken broth to moisten.
• 2. Add pesto, tossing until ingredients are evenly coated, then throw in pasta and heat everything back up.
• 3. Just before plating add spinach. Toss again and when spinach is wilted, plate immediately. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top.
• Chef's note: You can sub out the shrimp for chunks of chicken or sauté the dish without meat. Recipe can be multiplied for more people, but this dish really works the best when sautéed in a hot pan for one person.