Thai Chile and Artichoke Pasta Salad

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This unusual combination of ingredients makes a salad that is hearty enough to be served as an entree as well as a side dish. I always prepare this salad a day before I plan to serve it to ensure the flavors are combined. A word of caution though, the salad seems to increase in heat the longer it sits. So make the dressing a little on the mild side or the salad may become too hot to enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 1 6 ½-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and liquid reserved

  • 2 to 3 Thai chiles, stems removed, or substitute serrano chiles

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh preferred

  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 4 cups cooked rotini pasta

  • 2 cups thinly sliced fresh spinach

  • ½ cup sliced Kalmata olives

  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

  • Garnish: Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

To make the dressing, put two of the artichoke hearts, reserved liquid, chiles, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of water in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.

Coarsely chop the remaining artichoke hearts and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the pasta, spinach, olives and feta cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Cover and chill over night.

Garnish with the parsley before serving.

 

Crispy Coleslaw w/ Cucumber Chile Dressing

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This dressing also goes well with a simple tossed green salad. If you are looking to cut some calories, plain yogurt can be substituted for some of the sour cream. For a crispy salad, prepare the dressing and the cabbage a day in advance. Pack in separate containers, and just before serving, combine the two.

Ingredients

Dressing:

  • 4 green New Mexican chiles, roasted, peeled, stems and seeds removed, chopped

  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, chopped

  • ½ cup sour cream

  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

  • Ground white pepper

Salad:

  • ½ head green cabbage, shredded

  • 1/4 head red cabbage, shredded

  • 1 red onion, cut into thin rings

Instructions

Put the chiles and cucumber in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a bowl, add the remaining dressing ingredients and mix to combine. Allow the dressing to sit for an hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator to blend the flavors.

Combine all the ingredients for the salad in a separate bowl and chill.

To serve, pour only enough of the dressing over the salad to coat the cabbage. Toss the salad with the dressing and serve.

 

Pimet Limon

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Here is my version of the classic hot sauce of Rodrigues Island. It is very thick, so feel free to thin with more water if you want. You’d think that this sauce might be sour, but it’s not–the sugar in the red chiles seems to temper it. Any fresh red chiles can be used, and you can adjust the heat level to your liking. The yield is high here, but the color is so beautiful that you should put the excess in decorative bottles as gifts for your friends. It will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. Serve it over fish or other seafood.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water

  • 10 lemons, thickly sliced, seeds removed (or substitute limes for a different color)

  • 8 to 10 red jalapeños, seeds and stems removed, halved

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions

Place the water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the lemon slices and boil for 20 minutes. Strain, reserving the water.

Place the jalapeños in a blender and add the oil. Puree to make a thick paste. Add the lemon slices, a few at a time, along with 3 cups of the reserved water, a half cup at a time. You may have to do this in batches in you don’t have a large blender. Puree to a thick sauce. Pour into bottles and label.

Sauce Rougaille

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This recipe and others can be found in the following article:

Mascarene Chile Cuisine

 

By Dave DeWitt

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 4 New Mexican chiles, seeds and stems removed, finely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

  • 2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 2 large tomatoes, peeled and choppped

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Pour the oil into a wok or large sauté pan and heat until hot. Add the chiles, ginger, garlic and onion and saute until the onions are soft, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the tomatoes, stir, cover, and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and check for consistency, adding some water if too thick. Stir in the thyme and parsley, adjust the salt and pepper, and serve.

 

Mauritian Coconut Chutney

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This recipe and others can be found in the following article:

Mascarene Chile Cuisine

 

By Dave DeWitt

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 cups grated coconut

  • 1 lemon, quartered

  • 2 teaspoons tamarind paste (available at Asian markets)

  • 5 small green chiles, such as serrano, or substitute 3 jalapeños

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • 2 tablespoons mint leaves

  • Water as needed

Instructions

Pour the vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat it. Add the coconut and saute until the coconut is golden brown. Remove from the heat and transfer to a blender or food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and process to a fine paste, adding water as needed. Serve at room temperature.