Salmon and Mushroom Pasta

I actually cook my pasta dishes like I make chow mein – stir frying. In my mind, the technique to make pasta or chow mein is the same, the only differences being the ingredients and the use of a tomato based sauce (usually a bottled pasta sauce). For this dish, salmon is paired with mushrooms. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve with Garlic Garlic Bread.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 lb.	500 g.	Penne or your favorite pasta
1 lb.	500 g.	Salmon fillet, cut into 2-inch (5 cm.) pieces
1	1	Medium onion, diced into ½-inch (15 mm.) pieces
1 lb.	500 g.	Button mushrooms, sliced into ¼-inch (7.5 mm.) pieces
1	1	Green bell pepper, cut into thin ½-inch (15 mm.) strips
16 oz.	450 g.	Your favorite pasta sauce
½  cup	125 ml.	Pasta cooking water
2 Tbs.	30 ml.	White wine (optional)
		Extra virgin olive oil
		Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

 

Equipment

8 qt.	7.5 L.	Pot to boil the pasta
14 in.	35.5 cm.	Wok or pan

 

Preparation Instructions

1. Cut the salmon fillet into 2-inch (5 cm.) pieces.
2. Remove the outer skin of the onion and dice into ½-inch (15 mm.) pieces.
3. Clean and slice the button mushrooms into ¼-inch (7.5 mm) pieces.
4. Wash and cut the green bell pepper into thin ½-inch (15 mm.) strips. Cut the ends off the bell pepper, remove the seeds and pith from the body of the bell pepper resulting in a cylinder, make one long cut to open the cylinder and flatten, and finally cut the strips from the open bell pepper cylinder.

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package and until the pasta is al dente. When cooking is complete, reserve ½-cup (125 ml.) of the pasta water for later use. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Heat a wok or pan over medium to medium-high heat and before adding the olive oil. Add the salmon to the wok in a single layer on the bottom and brown both sides. Set the salmon aside in a bowl.
3. Reheat the wok over high heat before adding olive oil and then the onion pieces. Once the onions become translucent, remove them to the bowl containing the salmon.
4. Reheat the wok over high heat before adding olive oil and then mushroom pieces. Brown the mushroom pieces and then remove them to the bowl containing the salmon.
5. Reheat the wok over high heat before adding olive oil and then the pasta. Stir fry the pasta to coat with olive oil before adding the contents of the bowl with the salmon. Stir fry all the ingredients together before adding reserved pasta water, white wine (optional), and then the pasta sauce. The amount of pasta sauce can be increased if more sauce is desired. Mix all the ingredients together.
6. Put the pasta into a serving dish and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with Garlic Garlic Bread.