NCT’s Iron Chef 3: Battle Pasta

NCT's Iron Chef 2: Battle Pork was a great success. And there is interest in going on with our new tradition. So now let us begin Iron Chef 3!


This challenge’s secret ingredient is……..

PASTA!

As with the other ICs, this is a challenge to ourselves. There is no judging, and no winner. We are ALL winners in this since we will all benefit from the creativity and new recipes that this challenge will bring us.

The rules are simple, use the secret ingredient in a dish. It can be any dish from appetizer, to main, to desert. Your choice. Just use the secret ingredient in any manner you like.

Once your dish is ready, it’s a good idea to make a new post with your recipe. Then post a link and a picture of your recipe to this thread. Alternatively, if you like, post your recipe and pictures here. In the end, we will compile all the results into one thread for easy searching.

The challenge begins today, 5/24/09, and the deadline for you submission (recipe and picture) is this coming Sunday, 5/31/09, by 9PM. But remember, this is just for fun and to challenge ourselves. It allows us to dig deep and be creative with the secret ingredient, and NCT gets more new recipes for all of us to enjoy. Everyone wins in this challenge!

So let’s all put our thinking caps on and dive into: Battle Pasta!

ha, see, I already did mine, thanks to sass!! LOL

Sass Muffin's Asparagus Lasagna

Oh Wow! Look at this, TG is already setting the bar HIGH! Dammit!

That looks great. How was the taste?

Oh WOW Stacy!!!! That looks delish!!! I'm definitely going to have to try that, even though I may be the only one that eats it. LOL

It's really good!! I'm going to try sub the asparagus with artichoke next time too. It's really cheesy with the ricotta!

barb, I'm probably the only one to eat it too and it will go to waste, but, I had to try it, lol. the boys might try it, I don't know.

TexasGirl said:

It's really good!! I'm going to try sub the asparagus with artichoke next time too. It's really cheesy with the ricotta!

barb, I'm probably the only one to eat it too and it will go to waste, but, I had to try it, lol. the boys might try it, I don't know.

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Freeze it and mail it to me! It will be ready to eat by the time it gets here. That looks good and I love asparagus.

Pasta? Really? Did I tell you I was on the Atkin's Diet?
I don't do anything with pasta except for following someone else's recipe, but I'm looking forward on seeing the recipes!

chowhound said:

Pasta? Really? Did I tell you I was on the Atkin's Diet?
I don't do anything with pasta except for following someone else's recipe, but I'm looking forward on seeing the recipes!

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I was hoping chicken or beef would come up......but it's Pasta. Now I have to rack my brain to get even close to TG's entry!

Keltin said:

I was hoping chicken or beef would come up......but it's Pasta. Now I have to rack my brain to get even close to TG's entry!

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I was thinking of boiling it in some water and... I don't know..... adding salt & pepper and butter?

TexasGirl said:

It's really good!! I'm going to try sub the asparagus with artichoke next time too. It's really cheesy with the ricotta!

barb, I'm probably the only one to eat it too and it will go to waste, but, I had to try it, lol. the boys might try it, I don't know.

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Maybe I'll try to half it. It sure does look good.

That looks fantastic Stacy! You really are setting the bar high!

Nah, it's just lasagna, lol

TexasGirl said:

Nah, it's just lasagna, lol

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ok its not even late yet and you are setting the bar wayyyyyyy to high..lol

good job Dork

BamsBBQ said:

ok its not even late yet and you are setting the bar wayyyyyyy to high..lol

good job Dork

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lol, thank you Jeff! Should have seen my pork!!

Looks yummmmy!! Very!!!

Good stuff

What is the number calculator you are using? How does it work?

No photos 'cuz it sort looks like a big plate 'o green bird poop in pictures, but, man is this good! If you can't get your family to eat broccoli, try this:

ORECCHIETTE CON BROCCOLI E SALSICCE
(Orecchiette with Broccoli & Sausage)

1 bunch fresh broccoli (about 3 or 4 stalks)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
½ pound sweet Italian sausage (turkey sausage is fine)
½ cup water
Salt & fresh pepper to taste
1 pound orecchiette or other cup-shaped pasta, such as small shells
½ cup grated Romano cheese (or parmesan)

Cut stems off broccoli; peel and slice center stem into rounds. Cut stalks into
serving-sized pieces. Place broccoli in steamer, or bring a pot of water to a
boil.

Steam or boil broccoli until it's tender but still crisp. Remove broccoli and
chop into medium-fine pieces. You should have about 3 cups, but the
amount isn't critical -- 2 to 4 cups would be OK. Set aside.

Remove casings from sausages and coarsely chop the meat. Set aside.

Warm oil in a medium skillet or large saucepan over medium heat; add
garlic and stir until it becomes fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds.
Add the chopped sausage to the pan and sauteed over medium heat until
it loses its pink color.

Add to the pan the chopped broccoli, the water, and salt and pepper to
taste. Bring to boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the
broccoli breaks down and forms a thick paste; use a cooking spoon to help
break it up from time to time as it cooks. Add a bit more water if it begins to
dry out. This will take 10 to 20 minutes, and the end product will be a thick
green sauce with pieces of sausage floating in it.

In the meantime, bring a large pot of water (about 8 quarts) to a boil; add 2
tablespoons of salt. Then add pasta and cook according to package
instructions. Pasta should be al dante, still a little firm when you bite it.

Drain pasta, add broccoli/sausage mixture and grated cheese. Toss until
the cheese melts, and serve.

VeraBlue said:

What is the number calculator you are using? How does it work?

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do you mean how does he pick the ingredient for the weekly contest?

if that is it, he has a list of suggested ingredients...each has a number....then he goes here ... types in the numbers and it generates a random number

Ok, this one was a bit tougher than I thought! I racked my brains thinking of what to do. In then end, I just went off the cuff and did an Alfredo dish. So here it is, Shrimp and Chicken Alfredo.









Recipe is here.
http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=95517#post95517

looks good Keltin..

we'll see if i can come up with a pasta dish this week... been feeling like crap since monday morning... the only cooking i have done is heating leftovers in the microwave and a lean cuisine..lol

that looks freaking awesome, Keltin!!

Looks great

NICE!

Keltin...it's 6am...I'm just about to leave for work...and I want that shrimp and chicken alfredo for breakfast.

Looks wonderful!

This looks like a fun little game. I'm going to try to get something together. Great submissions so far!

FryBoy said:

No photos 'cuz it sort looks like a big plate 'o green bird poop in pictures, but, man is this good!

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Well, if that's the criteria for pix, there will never be any pix of Mexican dishes. My sister said once, they all look like they come out of one end or the other of a baby

I wanna see *all* the food in pictures!

GotGarlic said:

Well, if that's the criteria for pix, there will never be any pix of Mexican dishes. My sister said once, they all look like they come out of one end or the other of a baby

I wanna see *all* the food in pictures!

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Yeah. lol
Last night's "Challenge" one of the contestants didn't turn in her entry because she screwed it up. The judges said they still would have like to judge it for themselves.

Alfredo Sauce with Mushrooms and Broccoli






Here’s the recipe with broccoli and mushrooms added.
Serves 2
Prep Time 5 mins
Cooking Time 15 mins
Ingredients

• 6-8 Small broccoli florets
• 6-8 Small mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 1 Small onion, finely chopped
• 1 Clove garlic, finely chopped
• 180ml Crème fraiche or double/heavy cream
• 50g Parmesan cheese
• 35g Unsalted butter (see Cook’s tips)
• Handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

• Blanch the broccoli and mushrooms in boiling water for a few minutes, strain and cover (see Cook’s tips)
• Gently heat the butter in a non stick frying pan or wok
• Add the onion and garlic, and sweat for a couple of minutes, stirring
• Stir in the crème fraiche, and season with salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper
• Cook on a medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid any burning
• Stir in half the parmesan cheese, and the parsley
• Finally add the broccoli and mushrooms to warm through
• Serve with Fettuccine or pasta of your choice
• Sprinkle over the remaining parmesan cheese

Equipment

• Large non stick frying pan or wok
• Medium saucepan

Cook’s tips

• I blanched the mushrooms for 5 minutes and the broccoli for 3 minutes
• I use unsalted butter as it’s less likely to burn
• I use the veggie water to cook the pasta

Shopping List

• 6-8 Small broccoli florets
• 6-8 Small mushrooms
• 1 Small onion
• 1 Clove garlic
• 180ml Crème fraiche or double/heavy cream
• 50g Parmesan cheese
• 35g Unsalted butter
• Handful of fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Awesome Lesley!! Mushrooms and Broccoli are two of my all time favorites! I'll definitely be making this one!!

Thank you... Mine too... it's basic & tasty, great for midweek..