THIFA'S TABLE

Yesterday was one of those days that I refused to go to the store for anything, what ever I found in the fridge to make would have to suffice. My fridge is packed but with Thanksgiving prep so I pulled out what did not give me Thanksgiving vibes to create a quick dinner for the family. During this week I limit my cooking since I will be in the kitchen for hours preparing Thanksgiving dinner. A 30 minute or under dish is all I had time to make. Back to what I found in the fridge; some chicken breast, beef smoked sausage, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, red onions, tomatoes and lots of parsley. I found some rigatoni noodles in the pantry and decided I was going to make an easy pasta dish and it came out so good. You have to try this recipe.

Cajun Chicken & Sausage Pasta

November 23, 2021

Servings: 4

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 20 min

Total: 30 min

Difficulty: E

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By: thifastable

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound smoked sausage sliced
• 4 chicken breast butterflied
• 1 lb rigatoni pasta (any other pasta will work)
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup or more of parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoon Herb de Provence or Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon old bay
• 1/2 red onion chopped
• 2 small tomatoes chopped
• 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoon cooking oil (grape seed, vegetable , canola)

Directions

• Step 1 1. Boil pasta according to package
• Step 2 2. Butterfly the chicken breast by using a sharpe knife to cut along the side of the chicken. Slice the chicken close to the end but do not cut all the way through. Fold the chicken out and season on both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, cajun seasoning, paprika and pepper. Pat seasoning onto chicken well.
• Step 3 3. Add oil to a large skillet on medium high heat. Once skillet is hot, cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove from pan. Slice once it has cooled down
• Step 4 4. On medium heat using the same pan brown sausage for 2 minutes on both sides then add the vegetables. Sauté for 1 minute
• Step 5 5. Add heavy cream and chicken broth and whisk well. Add old bay and herb de provence and simmer for 5 minutes
• Step 6 6. Stir in parmesan cheese, then add pasta
• Step 7 7. Spoon pasta in dish and add sliced chicken. Add additional cheese or parsley

I have a weakness for pasta and I try not to over indulge but when t’s time to make a delicious pasta, I gets busy. Who doesn’t love pasta? Okay, who doesn’t love seafood? Pasta and seafood are two of my favorites and this combination of blackened salmon and shrimp in a creamy alfredo sauce with herbs is top tier, trust me when I say this.

Here’s what I look for in a good blackened salmon; a nice crispy crust is a must, a beautiful blackened char, a party in my mouth from the combination of herbs and spices that make up a blackened seasoning and a moist flaky inside. The alfredo sauce has to be seasoned, creamy and plentiful. Do not feed me dry pasta please. When you add the shrimp in the mix to this amazing dish this will easily be a household staple. Now make sure you don’t mind seeing who ever you make this blackened salmon and shrimp alfredo pasta for because they will be popping up at your house for more!

TIPS:

• Season to your liking. Always taste your food while you are cooking and adjust as you go.
• Add broccoli to the pasta. I love to add vegetables to pasta dishes.
• Choose salmon that is not too thick and similar in size all pieces cook at the same rate.
• Use a cast iron skillet if you have one.
• Use pasta water as a thickening agent. I tend to reserve about ½ cup of pasta water just in case I need to thicken the sauce. The starchy water also helps glue the sauce and pasta together. Add the water to the sauce and create your desired consistency before adding the pasta.
• Make your own blackened season. Blackened season is typically a combination of paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano and basil.
• Garnish with parsley and lemon.

• Blackened Salmon and Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

  June 4, 2021

  Servings: 4

  Prep: 10 min

  Cook: 30 min

  Total: 40 min

  Difficulty: Easy

  Print This

  By: thifastable

  

  Ingredients

  • 4 pieces of salmon (5-6 ounces)
  • ½ pound of medium shrimp
  • 16 oz pack of pasta
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ - 2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ stick of butter
  • 3 tablespoons blackened seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons Italian herb seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons of Olive oil

  Directions

  • Step 1 Cook pasta al dente according to package, drain and set aside. Reserve a little pasta water to use as sauce thickener should you need it.
  • Step 2 Rub one tablespoon of olive oil on salmon and season both sides with 2 tablespoons of blackened seasoning.
  • Step 3 Pat the seasoning on the salmon so it will stick.
  • Step 4 Rub ½ tablespoon of olive oil on shrimp and season with 1 tablespoon of blackened seasoning. Pat the seasoning on the shrimp so it will stick.
  • Step 5 Heat a large skillet (preferably a cast iron) on medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is nice and hot press the salmon into the skillet flesh down. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until salmon has a nice blackened char (be careful not to burn the salmon). Flip the salmon using a spatula and cook an additional 4-5 minutes. Salmon is done when it’s firm to the touch and flakes easily with a fork. Remove salmon from pan.
  • Step 6 Using the same pan and remaining olive oil, add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Remove from pan.
  • Step 7 Heat a large skillet on medium heat and add the butter. When butter is melted, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  • Step 8 Add heavy whipping cream and bring to a simmer then add parmesan cheese while stirring continuously.
  • Step 9 Add salt, black pepper, parsley and Italian herb to sauce and stir until sauce is slightly thick.
  • Step 10 Add pasta to sauce and toss.
  • Step 11 Cut salmon in bite size pieces and add salmon and shrimp to pasta. Enjoy!