Homemade Taziki's "Firday Special" Pasta

Name: Homemade Taziki's "Firday Special" Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 large plates/bowls, 2-4 serving(s)
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)

Submitted by hehoertz

"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"

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Ready In:: 50mins
Ingredients:: 14
Yields:: 2 large plates/bowls
Serves:: 2-4

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)

directions

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.