Penne with Chicken and Chorizo

Pasta is such an easy and inexpensive meal to make. You can add almost anything to pasta and make a meal. This dish is a little more extensive, but the flavors are worth it. I make this dish for my clients and they just love it. Because of the cream, it's not something you want to eat on a regular basis. However, it's a great dish for company or a large family.

I usually serve this dish right after cooking because the consistency of the sauce can change when reheated. Served with a nice salad and some garlic bread, this dish will satisfy everyone.

If you can't find chorizo sausage, you can substitute any spicy sausage you like. I once used a spicy chicken sausage. Delicious.

INGREDIENTS

1 pt. half and half

8 oz. cream

3 tbsps. butter

3 tbsps. flour

¼ cup cilantro, chopped finely

4 oz. can green chiles, diced

½ tsp. cumin

Salt

Pepper

½ lb. chorizo sausage—Spanish, not Mexican

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1 large red bell pepper, diced

10 oz. cooked pasta

8 oz. drained corn

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt butter in saucepan and add flour.

2. Whisk over medium heat for approximately 2 minutes or until the flour has cooked through.

3. Add cream and half and half, and whisk constantly.

4. Keep whisking until cream boils and thickens (approximately five to 10 minutes). Turn down heat.

5. Add the cilantro, green chiles, cumin, salt and pepper. Set aside.

6. Sauté the red pepper in a skillet over medium heat and add the cooked sausage, corn and chicken.

7. Add all ingredients to the pasta with the cream sauce and mix well.

Serve with salad and garlic bread.

Stay safe and eat great, Canton.