Thinking Outside the Noodle – Part I – Pasta Princess’s Cilantro Lime Fettuccine Noodles

This is the first in a 4 part series of “Thinking Outside the Noodle”.  Thinking Outside the Noodle is about new and exciting flavors for pasta noodles and recipes to accompany the pasta.  I am constantly challenging myself to think of different creative ways to make pasta.  The possibilities are endless and exciting!  I absolutely loved this fettuccine with one of my favorite herbs, cilantro, infused with lime.  What a great combo!

Pasta Princess’s Cilantro Lime Pasta Dough 

• 2-1/4 Cups Flour
• 3 Eggs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• Juice and zest of 1 Lime
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 3-4 Tablespoons Water (as needed)
• Dash of Salt

Directions:

Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle of the flour.  Put eggs, cilantro, zest and juice of one lime together in a small bowl and briefly wisk to combine. Add to the middle well of flour the eggs and cilantro lime mixture, olive oil, and water.  Add flour or extra water to dough as needed – consistency should not be sticky. With beater attachment, beat on low for 1 minute. Switch to dough hook and mix for 6 minutes. Take dough and cover in plastic wrap and let rest for at least 10 minutes.  Put dough through pasta machine, or roll by hand and cut into desired shapes.

Coming Next:  Thinking Outside the Noodle – Cilantro Lime Fettuccine with Grilled Chicken in a Mango Cream Sauce

Thai Chicken Pizza

Okay so this isn’t your ordinary traditional pizza with red sauce and pepperoni.  If you are feeling adventurous and you like the flavors of Thai cuisine you’ll be luvin this pizza and making it again.  This pizza combines all the flavors you’ve come to love from Thai cuisine including peanut butter, hoisin sauce, fresh ginger, fresh cilantro … and more.  A wonderful medley of flavors infuse your taste buds as you enjoy each and every bite.  Mmmmm … what could be better?!  If all you’ve ever made is traditional pizza why not step outside your comfort zone and give it a try.  Enjoy!

Yield:  2 Pizzas

Ingredients

Spicy peanut sauce

• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger ( or more if you wish)
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon vietnamese chili sauce ( or dried chili flakes)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or fish sauce)
• 2 tablespoons water

Thai chicken pieces

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 10 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 inch cubes

For the pizza

• 1 pizza dough, use your own recipe
• cornmeal or flour, for handling
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 scallions, slivered diagonally
• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Combine sauce ingredients in a small pan over medium heat.
2. Bring the sauce to a boil; boil gently for one minute.
3. Divide into 2 portions for use on chicken and pizza; set aside.
4. To make Thai chicken: Cook the chicken in olive oil over med-high heat, stirring, until just cooked; 5 to 6 minutes do not overcook.
5. Set aside in refrigerator until chilled through.
6. Once chilled, coat the chicken with 1/4 cup sauce.
7. Set aside in refrigerator.
8. To make the pizza: Use a large spoon to spread 1/4 cup sauce evenly over pizza dough within the rim.
9. Cover sauce with 3/4 cup cheese.
10. Distribute half the chicken pieces over the cheese followed by half the green onions, and carrots, respectively.
11. Sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup cheese over the toppings and top the pizza with 1 TBSP chopped peanuts.
12. Transfer the pizza to preheated 425 oven; bake until crisp and golden and the cheese is bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.
13. When cooked through, remove pizza from oven.
14. Sprinkle 1TBSP chopped cilantro over the hot cheesy surface.
15. Repeat with remaining ingredients for a second pizza.

Source:  Food.com