HOMEMADE TAZIKI'S "FIRDAY SPECIAL" PASTA

Homemade Taziki's

This recipe was inspired by the Mediterranean chain restaurant, Taziki's, "Friday Special" pasta. The recipe is a balsamic pasta salad topped with teriyaki chicken and Gorgonzola (or feta) cheese (substitutions to these are easy- I made this from left over ingredients I collected over the week, and trust me... it turned out much better than I expected so I had to post). - I choose teriyaki chicken because I often feel that the Taziki's version is too basamic-y for my liking, the teriyaki sauce we used was sweeter and tasted great. I also used Gorgonzola cheese because.. well, honestly.. that's what I had, but next time I will use Feta to be certain of which tastes better. I also just love Gorgonzola

Provided by hehoertz

Categories Penne

Time 50m

Yield 2 large plates/bowls, 2-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt
1/2 lb penne pasta
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup tomatoes (of choice)
ground black pepper
1/2 red onion (~1/2-1 cup chopped)
2 teaspoons finely chopped basil
fresh spinach
2 chicken breasts
teriyaki marinade
gorgonzola (or feta)

Steps:

Marinade chicken with teriyaki sauce; set aside for 10-20 minutes.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in pot.
chop garlic.
Heat the oil, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small skillet on low heat.
Cook very slowly until the garlic turns golden, about 3 minutes
careful not to brown or your sauce will be bitter; remove from heat when done.
When the water boils, add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta.
Cook until al dente (9 minutes); drain, letting some of the cooking water cling to the noodles.
Return the dripping noodles to the pot and toss with the oil mixture, 1/2 cup chopped onion, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, chopped tomato, and basil.
Season with salt and pepper to taste; divide among 2 plates with a bed of spinach on each.
Grill or pan cook teriyaki marinaded chicken until the inside is no longer pink; (if you pan cook: add 2 Tablespoons oil to pan + another 1/2 cup of onions, for flavor).
Cut chicken into strips; top pasta with 1 chicken breast on each plate.
sprinkle with Gorgonzola (or Feta) cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1227.7, Fat 66.2, SaturatedFat 17.8, Cholesterol 136.8, Sodium 867.6, Carbohydrate 100.5, Fiber 13.6, Sugar 5.2, Protein 59