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Lynn's Mama Cajun Pasta

 

6 qt Hot water 
3 tbs Salt 
1/4 c Vegetable oil 
1 1/2 lb Fresh spaghetti (1 lb dry)

Season Mix

SAUCE

1 lb Unsalted butter plus 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce 
4 tbs Unsalted butter 
1 tbs Tabasco sauce + 1 teaspoon 
1 c Onions, chopped very fine 
2 cn Tomato sauce (16 oz) 
4 ea Med. garlic cloves, peeled 
2 tbs Sugar 
2 tesp Minced garlic 
2 c Green onions, chopped very fine 
3 1/4 c RICH chicken stock (see note)

NOTE: To make a Rich Chicken Stock strain the basic stock, then continue simmering it until evaporation reduces the liquid by half. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup Rich Stock, start it with at least 2 cups of strained basic stock. dark meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Place in the hot water, oil and salt in a large pot over high heat; and cover and bring to a boil. When water reaches a rolling boil, add small amounts of spaghetti at a time to the pot, breaking up oil patches as you drop the spaghetti in. Return to boiling and cook to al dente stage, do not over cook.(To test doneness of spaghetti, cut a strand in half near the end of cooking time. When done, there should be only a speck of white in the center, less than one-fourth the diameter of the strand.) Do not overcook. During this cooking time, use a wooden or spaghetti spoon to lift spaghetti out of the water by spoonfuls and shake strands back into the boiling water. (It may be an old wives' tale, but this procedure seems to enhance the spaghetti's texture.) Then immediately drain spaghetti into a collander; stop cooking process by running cold water over strands. (If you used dry spaghetti, first rinse with hot water to wash off starch.) After the pasta has cooled thoroughly, about 2 to 3 minutes, pour a liberal amount of vegetable oil in your hands and toss spaghetti. Set aside still in the colander.

Meanwhile, thoroughly combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. 

In a 4-quart saucepan, combine 1-1/2 sticks of the butter, the onions and garlic cloves; sauté over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and seasoning mix; continue cooking over medium heat until onions are dark brown, but not burned, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often. Add 2-1/2 cups of the stock, the Worcestershire and Tabasco; bring to a fast simmer and cook about 8 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring mixture to a boil. Then stir in the sugar and 1 cup of the green onions; gently simmer uncovered about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Heat the serving plates in a 250F oven. 

Combine the ingredients of the chicken seasoning mix in a small bowl; mix well. Sprinkle over the chicken, rubbing it in with your hands. In a large skillet melt 1-1/2 sticks of the butter over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 cup green onions and sauté over high heat about 3 minutes. Add the chicken and continue cooking 10 minutes, stirring frequently. When the tomato sauce has simmered about 40 minutes, stir in the chicken mixture and heat through. To finish the dish, for each serving melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add one-sixth of the cooked spaghetti (a bit less than a 2 cup measure); heat spaghetti 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/4 cups chicken and sauce and 2 tablespoons of remaining stock; heat throughly, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Roll spaghetti on a large fork and lift onto a heated serving plate. Repeat process for remaining servings.

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