Canadian Bacon Bow Ties

ChefCatLeslie's Note:

I love canadian bacon and wanted to spring something new on my monthly dinner club participants. I read a similar recipe in a cookbook, but concocted my own version. It was a huge hit and a mainstay in my house.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 2.0 cups

• 1 lb bow tie pasta , prepared
• 2 lbs Canadian bacon
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium red onion , diced
• 1 bunch fresh green onion , chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper , diced
• 3 sprigs fresh basil
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons capers
• 1 (8 ounce) box frozen green peas
• 14 cherry tomatoes , quartered
• ½ cup monterey jack pepper cheese
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare pasta according to instructions on box.
2. Spread olive oil in a large skillet and heat over medium for about 1 minute.
3. Chop canadian bacon in bite-sized pieces. Add canadian bacon, red onion, fresh green onions (with green part attached) and bell pepper in skillet and cook over medium heat 8-10 minutes until peppers start to soften.
4. Stir in basil, rosemary, cilantro, black pepper, red pepper flakes, capers and peas. Stir until well blended.
5. During last 3 minutes of cooking, stir in tomatoes.
6. Pour cheeses over top, cover, turn off heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.
7. Pour cooked pasta into large bowl and pour canadian bacon mixture over pasta.
8. I sprinkle additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil over top before serving. This was a huge hit. I served it with a really nice salad, homemade balsamic vinagrette, fresh garlic rolls, red wine and served chocolate espresso pudding in phyllo cups for dessert.

Reviews

[Lori Mama]

Made this for PAC '06 Newbie Nursery. This was a very light and tasty pasta dish. I loved the rosemary in this. A couple of omits are, the cilantro and pepper flakes (don't care for either one). I also couldn't find the pepper jack cheese, so used regular.:)