Carolina on my mind!

When I moved to Charlotte, I had planned to continue my golf maintenance career. Things did not pan out quickly so I got a job waiting tables at Fatz Cafe. The only thing I miss as much as my co-workers is their Baja Chicken Pasta. It is by far the best thing on the menu. Before I could even tell Suzy about it, she was asking about this yummy looking pasta dish she saw on the online menu.

So it was an easy choice to make Baja Chicken Pasta for dinner our first night back together. I asked my manager for the recipe before I left and he wrote it down for me. I lost the recipe somewhere between the Greyhound stations in Charlotte and Richmond, VA. So thus begin my desire to just "wing it" when I cook.

I remembered the main ingredients so I just figured out the process in my head. And like one of my favorite cooks, Rachel Ray, I don't measure anything. Generally there is enough leftover for Suzy to have either lunch or dinner the next day.

Ingredients
Penne Pasta
EVOO
2 chicken breasts(cut in bite size pieces)
andouille sausage
sliced onions
sliced mushrooms
sliced red pepper
butter
garlic clove (minced)
1 cup of salsa
3/4 cup yogurt
1/2 cup sour cream
chipotle seasoning
diced tomato
parmesan cheese
cilantro

Very easy process for this dish. Add the chicken and sausage(casing removed) to a large heated skillet coated in EVOO. While meat is browning, combine yogurt, sour cream, and seasoning in a bowl and blend until smooth. When meat is finished, remove and set aside. Boil the water for the pasta(salt optional) In the same skillet used for the meat, add a 2 tbsp of butter, garlic, and the vegetables. Suzy likes her food extra spicy so I add some of the seasoning to the veggies while they sear. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are browned and tender.
Return the meat to the skillet and add the salsa and sauce mixture. Allow the skillet to simmer for about ten minutes on low heat. Drain the pasta when finished and combine in the skillet. Toss until well mixed and coated. Serve with diced tomato, parmesan cheese, cilantro sprinkled over top.

This is by far one of my favorite pasta dishes to make. Not only is it delicious, but it also reminds me of all the good times I had in Charlotte!