Young Chefs Academy

I went to The Young Chefs Academy for kids where I learned how to make delicious foods. The theme of the week was pasta. One of the foods we made were Ziti noodles with homemade pasta sauce. I started by cooking 3 1/2 lbs of fresh Roma tomatoes.. You take a large pot of water and bring it to a boil and then boil the tomatoes in the hot waterfor 30 seconds and then put them in a bowl of ice cold water for 30 seconds. This ice dip loosens the peel on the tomato and makes it easier to peel the tomato. After peeling you chop the tomatoes into small chunks and then cook them in a medium sauce pan with Olive oil, Black peper, Fresh Basil, Salt and fresh minced garlic on medium heat. You let this cook for about 25 mins or until the tomatoes break down into a sauce. It should still be a little chunky.While this is cooking cook the Ziti noodles in a large pot with about 2 quarts of water. Boil the pasta till tender. Seven to ten minutes after the water oils you put the pasta in. You can add olive oil to the water to keep the pasta from sticking and some salt in the water makes it boil hotter. When this is done place the sauce on top of the noodles. I sometimes also add Chicken breasts cooked in Fresh Basil and Garlic and top with the tomatoe sauce and then another layer of shredded parmigian and romano cheese and bake in the oven with the tomato sauce on top for Chicken ParmigianaHope you enjoy. More cooking to follow.