Canadian Bacon Bow Ties

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.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 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
• 1⁄2 cup monterey jack pepper cheese
• 1⁄2 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.