Pasta Athena Recipes

BAKED PENNE WITH SPINACH, RICOTTA & FONTINA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch ceramic baking dish.
• Cook the penne in boiling salted water until al dente, about 9 minutes. (It will cook more in the oven so you don't want it completely cooked.) Drain, then place the cooked penne back in the pan and set aside.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the spinach, basil, ricotta, cream cheese, half-and-half, 1 cup of the fontina, 3 tablespoons of the Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Process until puréed.
• Add the spinach mixture to the pasta and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining fontina and Parmigiano Reggiano. Bake until the pasta is bubbling and the top is golden in spots, about 20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve.

CHICKEN ATHENA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté chicken in batches if necessary until brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add garlic and aniseed and stir 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, broth Ouzo and oregano. Bring mixture to simmer, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon. Return chicken to skillet. Bring to simmer and cook uncovered 15 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to plate. Turn chicken pieces in skillet over and simmer 5 minutes longer. Transfer chicken in skillet to same plate.
• Increase heat to high, add olives and cook until liquid is reduced to sauce consistency, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently before continuing.) Sprinkle feta cheese over and serve.

PASTA ATHENA

Steps:

• In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the pasta as directed on the box. Meanwhile, heat a LARGE skillet to medium-high heat.
• Add oil and butter. Once melted, add the garlic and shrimp. *If you like a thick cream sauce, sprinkle the shrimp with 2 tsps. flour before adding them to the skillet.
• Cook about one minute, then add the wine and cream. Toss and cook another minute, then add olives and tomatoes. Cook another minute or two.
• Finally, mix in the strained pasta and spinach leaves. Remove from heat once the spinach wilts. Salt and Pepper to taste. (Season carefully, the olives and feta add a lot of salt!).
• Divide onto plates and top with feta cheese.

ATHENA'S LEMON GREEK PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and then stir in 1 oz oil to coat pasta.
• While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a medium sauce pan over low heat, then add heavy cream. Increase heat to medium-high stirring occasionally and when the mixture begins to bubble, add in the Parmesan cheese and blend until the cheese has melted. Add in lemon juice and lemon zest and stir. Season with black pepper and salt to taste.
• Add cooked pasta and mix well. Bring sauce back to just under a boil and then serve. You may wish to garnish your pasta dish with some additional Parmesan cheese, parsley, or even a couple of capers. This dish does not re-heat well, so plan on enjoying this dish in one setting.

CHICKEN ATHENA

Steps:

• Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until a thermometer reads 170°.

CHICKEN ATHENA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Sauté chicken in batches if necessary until brown, about 5 minutes per side.
• Transfer to plate.
• Pour off all but 2 Tbs drippings from skillet.
• Add garlic and aniseed and stir 30 seconds.
• Add tomatoes, broth Ouzo and oregano.
• Bring mixture to simmer, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon.
• Return chicken to skillet.
• Bring to simmer and cook uncovered 15 minutes.
• Transfer chicken breasts to plate.
• Turn chicken pieces in skillet over and simmer 5 minutes longer.
• Transfer chicken in skillet to same plate.
• Increase heat to high, add olives and cook until liquid is reduced to sauce consistency, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently before continuing.) Sprinkle feta cheese over and serve.

LADY ATHENA'S ROCKIN' CRAB SHELL PASTA

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot filled with boiling salted water, add pasta and cook according to package instruction. Drain and set aside.
• 2. In a deep skillet over medium heat, add oil and butter. When hot and melted, add shallot and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add roasted red pepper and basil; sauté for 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Pour wine and reduce to half. Pour cream, stir and when it starts to simmer, add crab meat. When back to simmer, reduce heat to low and add cooking sherry, hot paprika, white pepper, sea salt and cheese. Stir and let simmer for 2 minutes.
• 3. Add pasta and stir until well coated. Sprinkle with parsley and stir. Serve into warm bowl and sprinkle more cheese if desired. Makes 4 servings.
• 4. To view this recipe on YouTube, click on this link >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKnjZfac7QI