#12 - Pesto Cavatappi With Tofu

Challenge 12: Cook 100 New Recipe Dishes
Recipe: Pesto Cavatappi With Tofu
(Recipe: 4/100)

{ 08.27.2010 - Eleanor's Kitchen - Pesto Cavatappi With Tofu}
{ Replica of Noodles & Company's Pesto Cavatappi }

Ingredients: (I didn't measure, just estimated)

    Cavatappi Pasta

    Creamy Pesto Sauce Mix

    Olive Oil

    White Wine

    1/4 of Red Pepper, chopped

    1/4 of Green Pepper, chopped

    1/4 of Yellow Pepper, chopped

    1/4 of Orange Pepper, chopped

    Milk or Heavy Cream

    Tomatoes

    Firm Tofu

    Oil to saute tofu

   

1. Drain the tofu and cut in square pieces. Sautee over medium heat, each side about 3 minutes or until golden. Set aside.
2. Chop the tomatoes. Set aside. Over medium heat, saute the red, green, yellow, and orange pepper until half way cooked. Add a little bit of white wine to bring out the flavor. Set aside. (Roasted peppers would taste so much better)
3. Boil the Cavatappi.
4. Put together the Creamy Pesto Sauce Mix. Follow directions on the packet. Once simmered, add the sauteed peppers, chopped tomatoes, and the cooked cavatappi. Mix well. 
5. Place dish on a plate and then add the tofu on top.

It's a fairly simple dish to do and it doesn't take too long. The taste is different compared to Noodles &  Company's, but I'm surprised how good it still tastes. Noodles & Company's secret recipe tastes roasted and grilled, mine doesn't. Dre really liked it, so I'm happy. I feel safe to share and bring it to tomorrow's church outing.

But anyway, below is a video of Noodles & Co's Executive Chef, Ross Kamens, cooking the Pesto Cavatappi. It looks easy to put it together, but he doesn't exactly show how he makes his tofu or what exactly is in his pesto mix.