Tausa Chicken Pasta with Suga & Spinach Description:
A comforting, creamy chicken pasta made with tausa (fermented soybeans) for umami depth, sautéed spinach, and a light tomato-based (suga) sauce. This fusion pasta dish combines Asian and Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a hearty yet healthy weeknight meal.
Total Time:
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
For the Pasta:
250g (9 oz) penne or fusilli pasta
Salt for boiling water
For the Chicken & Sauce:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 chicken breasts, diced
2 tsp tausa (fermented black soybeans), rinsed and mashed
1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
1 ½ cups tomato suga (sugo or Italian-style tomato sauce)
2 cups fresh spinach (baby spinach preferred)
½ cup light cream or Greek yogurt (for creaminess)
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh basil (optional garnish)
Grated parmesan or pecorino (optional)
Instructions:
Boil the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (about 9–11 minutes). Drain and set aside.
Cook Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft.
Add Chicken:
Add diced chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked through (7–8 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Stir in Tausa:
Add mashed tausa. Stir well so it coats the chicken and enhances the umami flavor.
Add Tomato Suga:
Pour in the tomato suga and reduce heat. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Add Spinach & Cream:
Toss in spinach and stir until wilted. Add cream or yogurt and stir to combine.
Combine Pasta & Sauce:
Add cooked pasta to the pan. Toss everything together. Adjust salt/pepper as needed.
Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil or parmesan if using. Serve hot.
Nutritional Info (Per Serving):
Nutrient Amount
Calories ~460 kcal
Protein 35g
Carbohydrates 40g
Fat 18g
Saturated Fat 5g
Fiber 4g
Sugar 5g
Sodium 540mg
Vitamin A (Spinach) 110% RDA
Iron 25% RDA
Note: Using yogurt instead of cream reduces fat and calories.
Question & Answer
Q1: What is Tausa?
A: Tausa (also called dou chi or fermented black soybeans) is a Chinese ingredient with a salty, umami-rich flavor. It adds depth to sauces and stir-fries.
Q2: Can I use frozen spinach?
A: Yes, thaw and squeeze out excess water before adding it.
Q3: Is this dish spicy?
A: Only mildly spicy if chili flakes are used. You can skip them for a milder version.
Q4: Can I use tofu instead of chicken?
A: Absolutely! Firm tofu works well; just pan-fry before adding.
Q5: What pasta type works best?
A: Short pastas like penne, fusilli, or ri
gatoni hold the sauce nicely.