Mixing Best of Italian, Mexican Cuisines

Spaghetti Twists With Spicy Fresh Salsa is a recipe blending ingredients from two of the most popular ethnic cuisines, Italian and Mexican.

It features traditional Italian ingredients such as pasta and fresh tomatoes. But they are spiced up with fresh cilantro, cumin, chopped green chiles and hot pepper sauce for a taste of Mexico.

Bottled Italian dressing replaces oil and adds a flavor boost. Thin strips of cooked chicken and a sprinkling of shredded cheese top off this interesting blend of flavors.

SPAGHETTI TWISTS WITH

SPICY FRESH SALSA

1/2 cup Italian dressing

1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

4 teaspoons finely chopped cilantro

Ground cumin

1 medium onion, chopped

8 small tomatoes, chopped

1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, undrained

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

12 ounces spaghetti twists or fusilli pasta, cooked and drained

1 cup finely shredded Jack or Cheddar cheese

Heat 2 tablespoons dressing in large skillet and cook chicken with 1 teaspoon cilantro and 1/8 teaspoon cumin until chicken is done. Set aside.

Heat additional 2 tablespoons dressing and cook onion 3 minutes or until almost tender. Add tomatoes, chiles, sugar, hot pepper sauce, remaining dressing and 1/4 teaspoon cumin. Bring mixture to boil, then simmer about 20 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken and remaining cilantro. Heat through.

To serve, spoon sauce over pasta and sprinkle with cheese. Makes about 4 servings.