Chicago chef wins Barilla's Pasta International Contest, named U.S Master of Pasta

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago chef has a new title: U.S Master of Pasta! Carolina Diaz recently traveled to Milan, where she won Barilla's Pasta International Contest.

She joined ABC7 in the kitchen to share a fun and easy-to-make pasta dish.

Recipe:

Gemelli with Anchovy and Creamy Chickpeas

Ingredients:

1 box of Gemelli; cook according to instruction on the package

1/2 cup EVOO

2 cups Swiss Chard, roughly chopped

1 tbs Salt

1 cup Onion, Small diced

1 tbs Garlic, minced

1 tbs Anchovies, minced

2 cups Chickpeas, pureed with Juice of 1 lemon

15 Cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1 tbs White vinegar

2 cups Panko bread crumbs

1 tbs Butter

1 tbs Honey

Instructions:

-In a sizzling pan on high heat add the oil and swiss chard and salt and allow to char

-Reduce the heat to medium and add onion, garlic, anchovies, and white vinegar

-Add tomatoes and chick pea cream and allow all the flavors to melt together for 4 minutes

-Add cooked gemelli

-Use the starchy pasta water to thin out the chickpea cream and marry the sauce to the gemelli

-In a bowl toss panko and honey and toast in a 300F for 6 minutes

-Once the bread crumbs come out of the oven, very carefully, toss in honey and coat the breadcrumbs

-Use the sweetened bread crumbs to finish over the top of the dish.