Simple Chorizo Pasta

Each time we work with our butcher to determine the cutting, wrapping, and sausage options for our pork order, we try to pick a NEW selection that we haven't tried before.

From day one, we've been using a local butcher located about an hour away from the farm.  They are amazing to work with and are always willing to work with us and experiment with a new selection.

One of the most recent additions to the farm store selections is Chorizo seasoned ground pork.  Traditionally, when cooking with chorizo sausage, you would remove the sausage from the casings when making your meal.  So, why not just skip that step!  Instead of squeezing the sausage meat out of the casing each time, why not just leave it out in the first place!

Chorizo has been a family favorite here in our farmhouse kitchen.  It's got a little bit of a kick in the heat department!  Our kids are okay with a bit of heat in their food but if you or your kids don't, you can always mix the chorizo ground pork half and half with a package of plain ground pork or beef.

 What is Chorizo?

Chorizo is a flavoured sausage that comes from either Mexican or Spanish heritage.  It is deeply flavoured and a little spicy and a littel tangy!  The flavour comes from a blend of spices (peppers, paprika) and vinegar.  The mexican version is a fresh sausage versus the spanish version which is dried & cured sausage.

What kind of dishes can I make with chorizo?

• pair with eggs for breakfast (on it's own or in a flour tortilla)
• topping for nachos
• pizza topping
• mix with ground pork or beef to make meatballs
• soups
• quiche or omelettes
• with rice, barley, couscous or quinoa as a filling for stuffed peppers
• stuffed jalapenos
• casserole with roasted potatoes and topped with cheese sauce
• fried rice with chorizo
• pastas

Can I make my own Chorizo seasoning?

You can buy ground pork that is already seasoned from Lazuli Farms.  Or you can make your own spice blend to mix into ground pork.

Mexican Chorizo Seasoning for 1 pound ground pork:

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Blend spices and vinegar in a small bowl.  Using your hand, mix the seasoning into 1 pound of ground pork.

Simple Chorizo Pasta Recipe

For this pasta recipe, you can use 2 full pounds of chorizo seasoned ground pork.  Or to cut the spiciness of the final dish, feel free to sub in a pound of unseasoned ground pork or beef (1/2 chorizo and 1/2 unseasoned).

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chorizo seasoned ground pork (buy pre-seasoned or season ground pork with this chorizo spice blend) or 1 pound chorizo pork and 1 pound ground pork/beef
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced (or diced)
• 1 large can diced tomatoes (796 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon each dried oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
• salt & pepper to taste
• grated parmesan cheese for topping
• 1 lb pasta, cooked

Instructions:

Heat a large saucepan of water and cook pasta al dente.

Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven, cook chorizo ground pork over medium heat until cooked & browned.  Add onions and saute until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.  Add garlic and peppers and saute another 3 to 5 minutes until the garlic is softened.  Add in the tomatoes and spices.  Cook over medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes until heated through.

Add the pasta and mix together.  Once heated through, remove from heat.  Spoon into bowls and top with grated parmesan.

Enjoy!

Add tomatoes, spices, sugar, and salt & pepper.