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Tag: Pasta

Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter

Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter

1 lbtortellini_300. tortellini (any kind, I used whole wheat with cheese filling)
6 slices bacon, diced
6 tsp. unsalted butter
2 C. arugula (I substituted baby spinach)
kosher salt
black pepper

Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet, over medium heat until crisp. Reserve the bacon and discard the drippings. Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Add the butter and brown (see how to brown butter below). Remove from heat and add the bacon, arugula (or spinach), salt, pepper and cooked tortellini. Toss well and serve.

How to brown butter: Melt the butter in a skillet or small saucepan over medium heat (preferably a light colored one, this helps to see the color develop). Stir the butter as it starts to foam. Remove from heat as soon as it starts to turn golden brown and smells nutty (about 1 minute).

Leeky Linguine with Shrimp

Leeky Linguine with Shrimp

picRotwfB1 pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined (after trying this, I think it would work well with chicken as well!)
1/4 C. EVOO
1 T. grated lemon peel
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
Salt and black pepper
1 pound fresh linguine
4 leeks – trimmed, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise and washed
1/2 C. dry white wine or vermouth
1/3 C. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (a generous handful)

In a bowl, toss the shrimp with 2 T. EVOO, the lemon peel, garlic and crushed red pepper; season with salt and black pepper. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes. While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 T. EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, season with salt and black pepper and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Push the leeks to the side of the pan, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and firm. Pour in the wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the pasta to the skillet; season with salt and black pepper. Add the parsley and toss.

Mario Batali’s Ragu Bolognese

Mario Batali’s Ragu Bolognese

ragu-bolognese_recipe_1000x400_14217119235265 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 medium carrots, finely diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 ribs celery, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3/4 pound veal, ground
3/4 pound pork, ground
3/4 pound beef, ground (ground chuck)
6 ounces tomato paste
1 cup milk
1 cup dry white wine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cooked pasta
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for grating

In a 6 to 8-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrot and garlic and sweat over medium heat until the vegetables are translucent and soft, but not browned, about 15 minutes. Add the veal, pork, and beef and stir into the vegetables. Lower the heat slightly and cook, Continue cooking, stirring occasionally to keep the meat from sticking together, until well-browned and all the fat has cooked off, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add the tomato paste, stir to incorporate, and cook slowly for about 30 minutes. Add the milk, stir and scrape up any browned bits off the bottom of the pan, and allow to simmer another 45 minutes. Add the wine, simmer about 10 minutes until reduced, decrease the heat to low, cover, and simmer for another hour. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat. When ready to serve, transfer the pasta directly out of the boiling water into the saucepan with the appropriate amount of the hot ragu bolognese, and toss so that the pasta is evenly coated. Serve with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Hot Italian Sausage and Tomato Pasta

Hot Italian Sausage and Tomato Pasta

hot-italian-sausage_3001 lb fettuccine
3 T olive oil
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, smashed
4 hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 T red wine vinegar
3/4 t kosher salt
1/4 t black pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
1 cup baby spinach
1/4 cup Parmesan

Cook the fettuccine according to package directions, Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion softens, 2-3 minutes. Add the sausage and cook about 5 minutes, crumbling as it cooks. Add the tomatoes and cook until the skins burst, about 8 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the cooked fettuccine, basil and spinach and toss gently to combine. Top with the Parmesan.

Prosciutto, Tomato, and Olive Spaghetti

Prosciutto, Tomato, and Olive Spaghetti

c3102281f88237e7a2515099d2e6651f1 pound dried spaghetti
8 cups cold water
2 teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 shallots, finely minced
1 cup black olives, pitted (I used Taggiasca from Italy)
3 to 4 tomatoes, diced
½ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste or concentrate
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut up
Reserved pasta water (optional)
2.5 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated
A handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
About ½ lb. prosciutto, preferably Parma or San Daniele, at room temperature

In a large pot, bring 1.8 L (8 cups) of cold water to a boil. When it boils, add salt and pasta. Cook according to package instructions, stirring often to loosen up the sticky strands. Drain the cooked spaghetti, but save about 1 cup of the pasta water. Set aside. Wipe clean the same pot and set over medium heat with olive oil. When oil is hot, lower heat to medium-low and sauté garlic and shallots until fragrant, about 1 minute. Increase heat to medium again, add olives, and cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes and cook until soft, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and stir until the alcohol has evaporated, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and butter until dissolved. Put the pasta back in the pot and gently mix until each strand is coated in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too dry. Toss with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve on warmed plates and garnish with prosciutto slices.

Spinach & Artichoke Wonderpot

Spinach & Artichoke Wonderpot

Mushroom-Wonderpot-bowl8 oz. mushrooms
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts
4 cloves garlic
1 medium yellow onion
5 cups vegetable broth
2 T. olive oil
12 oz. fettuccine
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
Freshly cracked pepper (15-20 cranks)
4 oz. frozen cut spinach

Clean the mushrooms to remove any dirt or debris. Slice the mushrooms thinly. Drain the can of artichoke hearts and roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the onion and garlic (you can mince the garlic if you don’t want large slices). Place the vegetable broth, olive oil, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, onions, and garlic in a large pot. Break the fettuccine in half and add it to the pot along with the oregano, thyme, and some freshly cracked pepper. Push the ingredients down under the broth as much as possible. Place a lid on the pot and bring it up to a rolling boil over high heat. As soon as it reaches a boil, stir the pot to evenly distribute the ingredients and prevent the pasta from sticking. Turn the heat down to low so that the pot is just simmering. Allow the pot to simmer, with the lid on, for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Give the pot a stir every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking. Once the pasta is cooked through, add the frozen spinach. Allow the heat from the pasta to thaw the spinach. Stir the pot to help break up the clumps of spinach as they melt. Serve hot.

Tahinosoupa (Tahini Soup)

Tahinosoupa (Tahini Soup)

000TahiniSoup12 tsp. sesame seeds 1/2 tsp. paprika Sprinkling of ground chile, optional 1 tsp. grated lemon zest About 5 1/2 oz. fresh egg-free noodles (hilopites) or 2 3/4 oz. dried 1/2 cup tahini Juice of 1 1/2 lemons Olive oil for serving Freshly ground black pepper Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a small dry skillet. Add the paprika and the chile, if using, and cook briefly, taking care not to burn it. Stir in the lemon zest and transfer to a small bowl. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a pot with some salt. Add the hilopites (noodles) and boil until just tender, about 2 minutes, or according to the package instructions if dried. Meanwhile, put the tahini and lemon juice into a bowl, add a ladleful of the boiling hilopites water and whisk until smooth. When the hilopites are ready, pour the tahini mixture in (and the chickpeas) and stir gently over the heat for a couple of minutes. Taste for salt. Serve in bowls with a drizzle of olive oil, a scattering of the sesame-paprika mixture and a grind of pepper.

Ricotta Pasta with Sausage

Ricotta Pasta with Sausage

1 pound penne or ziti rigate
Coarse salt
2 C. ricotta cheese
2 T. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 C. Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
Generous handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 pound bulk Italian sweet sausage
Coarse black pepper
20 fresh basil leaves, shredded or torn

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and salt the water. Cook the pasta until al dente, with a bite to it. Place the ricotta, butter, and Parmigiano or Romano cheese in a large bowl. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the EVOO and sausage. Brown the sausage, then add the onions and cook 5 minutes. Add the parsley and cook 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Drain the pasta. Add to the bowl with the cheeses. Toss to melt the butter and evenly coat the pasta with cheeses, then season with salt and pepper. Toss cooked sausage with pasta. Top pasta with basil. Season with a little salt. Toss and serve at the table.

Mac & Cheese 15 Ways – Add Some Interest to your Dish

Mac & Cheese 15 Ways – Add Some Interest to your Dish

-Stir in 1 C. of chopped ham

-Add 1/2 C. frozen peas or chopped broccoli (and 1/2 C. chopped ham, too, if it’s in the fridge)

-Drain a small can of sliced mushrooms and fold them into the macaroni & cheese

-Add 1 C. chopped fresh, ripe tomatoes and 1 T. minced basil

-Stir in 1/2 C. of drained flaked tuna plus 1 tsp. of drained capers

-Fold in 1/2 C. of smoked salmon strips

-Add 1/2 C. cooked cauliflower florets and a dash of ground nutmeg

-Top each serving with a spoonful of fresh spinach that has been briefly sautéed.

-Add 1 C. of browned ground beef that you have lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper

-Sauté 2 sliced garlic cloves briefly in melted butter and fold these into the macaroni & cheese

-Stir in 1 C. of drained canned white beans, then season the macaroni & cheese with a little dried thyme

-Spoon the macaroni and cheese into a serving bowl and top it with strips of grilled sausage.

-Toss a C. of toasted bread crumbs in olive oil, run these under the broiler, then sprinkle them on top of the macaroni & cheese.

-Stir in 1/2 C. of sautéed shrimp and a dash of Cajun seasoning.

-Sauté some thin slices of red bell pepper briefly in olive oil, then stir them into the macaroni & cheese

Beef with Hilopites

Beef with Hilopites

2404033781_ec95990ba01 T. olive oil
1 lb. beef, cut into 1″ pieces
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. dried or about 3 T. fresh parsley
3 T. tomato paste
3 cups water
1/4 heaping tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 lb. hilopites
salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in a deep saute pan. Season the beef with salt and pepper and then add to the oil to brown, in batches if necessary. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add the onion to the pan and cook until translucent. Stir in the garlic and parsley (if you are using dried) and saute an additional minute before adding the tomato paste. Cook off the tomato paste for about 30 seconds, and then add the water. Be sure to scrape all the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the cinnamon, cloves, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and then add the beef back in. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about an hour or really as long as you’d like (the longer you simmer, the more tender the beef gets). Add the hilopites and simmer, uncovered, until done, stirring occasionally. If you are using fresh parsley add it around the same time as you add the hilopites.

Lemon-Ricotta Pasta with Seared Scallops

Lemon-Ricotta Pasta with Seared Scallops

2602082554_73b3008cc1_b1 box pappardelle or fettuccine pasta
12 large fresh sea scallops
4 T. good-quality olive oil, divided
1 T. butter
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ cup lemon juice
1½ cups fresh green peas, shelled and blanched
4 T. fresh thyme, minced (lemon thyme, if you have it)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 container (475g) ricotta cheese

Cook the pasta per package directions until al dente. While pasta is cooking, rinse scallops and pat dry. Heat 1 T. olive oil and 1 T. butter over high heat in a skillet until foamy. Sprinkle scallops with a little salt and pepper; place in skillet in single layer. Cook, turning once, until brown on outside and just opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside. Drain pasta and return to the pot over low heat. Stir in lemon zest, juice, remaining 3 T. olive oil, peas, and thyme. Toss to coat, then season with salt and lots of pepper. Add the ricotta and mix gently until pasta is coated evenly. To serve, divide the pasta between four plates, topping each with three scallops and a sprig of fresh thyme.

Instant Pot Stovetop-Style Mac n Cheese

Instant Pot Stovetop-Style Mac n Cheese

Instant Pot Stovetop-Style Mac n Cheese

 

3 T. unsalted butter

1 medium onion, finely chopped (optional)

1 pound short pasta, such as shells or elbows

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 tightly packed cups shredded Cheddar-jack-mozzarella cheese blend

11⁄4 tightly packed cups shredded Gruyère, sharp Cheddar, or Gouda

1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1⁄2 cup whole milk

2 tsp. Dijon mustard (optional)

1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

Fine sea salt

Pinch of paprika (optional)

Add the butter, onion (if using), pasta, and broth to the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Lock on the lid and Pressure Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Release the pressure manually (be careful—it will sputter; cover the valve with a cloth to catch some of the mess).  Open the lid and stir in all the cheese, the milk, mustard (if using), and 1⁄2 tsp. pepper. Add salt to taste.  Let the pasta stand in the cooker on the Keep Warm setting for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve warm, with a sprinkle of extra pepper and the paprika, if desired.

Cook’s Note:  Bubbly Cheese-Topped Mac: If you like your mac ’n’ cheese full-on in the cheese department, transfer the finished dish to a buttered 2-quart casserole, preheat the broiler and cover the casserole with 4 thin slices sharp Cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of the two. Place on the lower rack and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Craving a Golden Cracker: If you’re in the crispy bread- crumb topping camp regarding your mac ’n’ cheese, this make-ahead is for you. Preheat the broiler. Combine 1 cup panko bread crumbs with 2 T. melted butter in a small bowl. Spread out on a sheet pan and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Let the crumbs cool completely, then use or store in an airtight container for up to 5 weeks. This topping is great sprinkled over mac ’n’ cheese but also on creamy beans or atop perfect soft-boiled eggs.

Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

NEW5gwynfood-3201 pound small zucchini, very thinly sliced crosswise (but thicker than paper thin or they will just burn)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound spaghetti
1 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup torn basil leaves
Freshly ground pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving

In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini with the flour and a pinch of salt. In a very large skillet, heat half of the oil until shimmering. Add half of the zucchini and fry over high heat, turning once or twice, until browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the zucchini to a paper towel–lined wire rack and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining oil and zucchini. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the 1 cup of cheese, the basil and a generous pinch of pepper. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, tossing well to coat. Transfer the pasta to a bowl and top with the crispy zucchini. Serve right away with lemon wedges and additional cheese.

Sausage and Burrata Pasta

Sausage and Burrata Pasta

Sausage-and-Burrata-Pasta-680t1 pound pasta, rotini or small shells work great
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped very fine
1 pound bulk pork sausage, sweet or spicy
1 teaspoon, chopped garlic
1 29 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 cup of white wine or chicken broth
1 cup half and half
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 burrata ball
Additional olive oil to drizzle
Fresh ground sea salt and pepper
Additional parmesan cheese to garnish
Fresh basil to garnish (optional)

Cook pasta according to package instructions and drain when ready. I prefer to cook it al dente for this recipe. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and add onions. Sauté the onions and when they are soft, approximately 3 minutes, add the bulk sausage. Cook for approximately 5 minutes and use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage into crumbles. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and white wine. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Lower the heat to low and slowly stir in the half and half. When well blended, stir in the parmesan cheese and continue to stir until creamy. Add the drained sauce to the skillet and simmer for an additional 5 minutes on low until the sauce is slightly absorbed by the pasta. Remove the burrata from the container and absorb any of the excess water with a paper towel. Plate the pasta on a large bowl and top with the burrata immediately. The heat from the pasta will warm and melt the burrata slightly. Drizzle olive oil on top of the burrata and season with fresh ground sea salt and pepper. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese or parmesan shavings and fresh basil

Cheese Tortellini with a Fresh Tomato and Artichoke Slaw

Cheese Tortellini with a Fresh Tomato and Artichoke Slaw

Salt (optional), for cooking the pasta
1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated fresh cheese tortellini
1 jar (6 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts with their liquid
1 T. chopped fresh basil, or 1 tsp. store-bought pesto
1 pint (2 C.) grape or cherry tomatoes, or 2 C. chopped tomatoes (from 2 medium-size tomatoes)
1 tsp. capers, drained
¼ C. pre-shredded Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt, is using, and stir in the tortellini. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook the tortellini, uncovered, until al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Meanwhile, place the artichoke hearts with their liquid, basil, and tomatoes in a food processor. Pulse 10 times, or until the mixture has a slaw-like consistency. Stir in the capers. Drain the tortellini well in a colander, shaking it a few times to remove any water that might still cling to the pasta. Transfer the tortellini to a serving bowl or serving plates. Pour the slaw over the tortellini and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top. Serve at once. (For a beautiful yellow color, use yellow tomatoes in the slaw. Add a little chopped yellow bell pepper for bite, and substitute another herb for the basil, if you like)

Pasta Shells with Tuna, Lemon and Olives

Pasta Shells with Tuna, Lemon and Olives

Salt, for cooking pasta, optional
8 ounces medium-size pasta shells
1 (6-ounce) can solid white albacore tuna, packed in water, drained
1 C. store-bought olive salad
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
1 T. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. capers, drained, for garnish
1/4 C. chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Bring a large pot water to boil over high heat. Add salt, if using, and stir in pasta shells. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook shells, uncovered, 8 minutes until al dente (firm to the bite). Meanwhile, place tuna, olive salad, lemon zest and juice in a food processor fitted with metal blade or blender and puree 30 seconds until smooth. Drain pasta shells well in a colander, shaking it a few times to remove any water that clings to pasta. Return shells to pot. Fold in the sauce and stir to coat pasta well. Serve at once, garnished with capers, basil and lemon wedges.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 763
Fat: 58g
Fiber: 2g

Caramelized Shallot and Crispy Sage Macaroni and Cheese

Caramelized Shallot and Crispy Sage Macaroni and Cheese

carmelized-shallot-and-crispy-sage-macaroni-and-cheese-cake-batter-and-bowl-blog-kerstin-sinkevicius1 pound orecchiette pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped shallots
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh sage

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Briefly, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and drain. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add shallots and cook 15 to 17 minutes, stirring frequently, or until caramelized. Add garlic and sauté one additional minute. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook one minute or until mixture starts to brown. Whisk in buttermilk and cream, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and mix in cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, and salt. Cook 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add sage and turn off heat. Mix orecchiette pasta, caramelized shallots, cheese sauce, and crispy sage in a large bowl until well combined.

Yield: 8 servings
Calories: 685
Fat: 41g
Fiber: 2g

No Boil Mac & Cheese

No Boil Mac & Cheese

1/2 orecchietteC. (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/4 C. all-purpose flour
3 C. whole milk
1 T. kosher salt plus more
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper plus more
1 pound elbow macaroni (or other small pasta like orecchiette)
2 C. shredded cheddar, divided
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 C. panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 T. chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 400°. Melt 1/4 C. of the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Whisk in milk and 3 C. water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, whisking often, until a very thin, glossy sauce forms, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 T. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Remove sauce from heat.

Toss pasta and 1 1/2 C. cheese in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch or other shallow 3-quart baking dish. Pour sauce over (pasta should be submerged; do not stir) and cover with foil. Bake until pasta is almost tender, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, melt remaining 1/4 C. butter in a large skillet over medium heat (at this point, I sautéed about 1/4 C. chopped pancetta for a few minutes before adding the remaining ingredients). Add garlic, panko, and parsley and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Remove foil from dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 C. cheese, then panko mixture. Bake until pasta is tender, edges are bubbling, and top is golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Three Cheese Tortellini with Dandelion Pesto

Three Cheese Tortellini with Dandelion Pesto

6 oupestonces dandelion greens, rinsed, chopped and spun dry in a salad spinner
¼ cup pine nuts
½ cup grated Parmesan and Romano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 package Buitoni three cheese tortellini

In a food processor, process dandelion greens, pine nuts, grated cheese, chopped garlic and kosher salt until the greens are finely chopped. Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the food processor while running, stopping to scrape down the sides and process again until the mixture reaches the consistency of pesto. Place pesto in bowl and refrigerate until ready to use. Boil tortellini according to package directions and drain pot. Add enough pesto to hot pasta in pot to thoroughly coat pasta and toss. Transfer to serving bowl and serve while hot. Remaining pesto can be refrigerated for up to a week and used in other dishes.

Pappardelle with Chicken, Mushrooms and Wine

Pappardelle with Chicken, Mushrooms and Wine

1 lb. mushroom, quartered

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground pepper

4 lbs. whole chickens or 4 lbs. rabbit, cut up, washed and dried

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 ounces pancetta or 4 ounces bacon, diced

1 medium red onion, diced

1/2 lb. fennel bulb, bulb only, cut into strips

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 cup dry red wine

1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaf

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 lb. pappardelle noodles

 

Preheat oven to 325°F. Sauté mushrooms in butter in a large ovenproof sauté pan over med-high heat, stirring frequently. When they soften and give off liquid, reduce heat to med, cook until liquid evaporates. Stir in the first 1/2 cup of red wine. Increase the heat to high and boil until most of the wine evaporates, remove and set aside. Wipe out pan and return it to the stove top. Brown the chicken in butter and oil (may need to do this in batches) in the sauté pan over med heat, remove and set aside. Sauté the pancetta in the pan drippings, cooking until it begins to brown. Add the onion and fennel, cooking until the onion softens and fennel begins to brown. Stir in garlic and cook 2-3 minutes more. Increase heat to high and stir in the next 1/2 cup wine and sage. Remove from heat and add the sautéed mushrooms. Return the chicken to the pan, cover tightly, transfer to the oven and bake until the meat is tender and the internal temp is 170°F, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat oven and stir in vinegar. While chicken is in the oven prepare pappardelle according to package directions; drain. Serve pappardelle with chicken and mushroom sauce.

Penne with Pistachios, Asparagus, and Cream

Penne with Pistachios, Asparagus, and Cream

Pistachio Asparagus Pesto on Penne 5001/3 cup pistachios

1 lb. thin asparagus, cut into thirds

1/4 cup butter

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup dry white wine

1 cup half and half

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 Tb. salt

1 lb. dry penne pasta

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Toast the nuts on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes; cool, chop, and set aside. Cook the asparagus in a stock pot in boiling water; uncovered over medium-high heat until tender about 3 minutes. Remove asparagus, saving the water so the pasta can be prepared in the same pot. Sauté garlic in butter in saucepan over medium heat, when garlic starts to brown, remove and discard. Add the asparagus and pepper. Increase heat to high and pour in wine, stirring about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Pour the half and half and cream over the asparagus mixture and simmer about 2 minute. Season with salt; keep warm. Prepare penne pasta, drain, and return to pot. Combine asparagus sauce with pasta, stirring over low heat. Add cheese, stirring until it melts; transfer to a platter. Garnish with pistachio nuts.

 

Fettuccini with Preserved Lemon and Roasted Garlic

Fettuccini with Preserved Lemon and Roasted Garlic

IMG_05992 heads of garlic
2 tsp. plus 1 T. olive oil
1 lb fettucine
2 T. unsalted butter
1 preserved lemon, rinsed under cold water, pulp and rind finely chopped
1 C. grated Parmesan cheese
3 T. fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Fresh ground pepper

Preheat the oven or a toaster oven to 400 degrees. Chop off the very top of each head of garlic, and remove any excess layers of outer paper. Place each head of garlic on tin foil and drizzle each with a tsp. of olive oil. Wrap in foil and roast for an hour, or until the cloves are very soft. Cool, and squeeze out the garlic. Set aside. Get a large pot of salted water going, and boil the fettucine until tender and just done. In a medium saucepan or skillet, combine the butter and remaining T. of olive oil over medium heat. When the butter melts, add the garlic and preserved lemon. Cook for about a minute, stirring often. Drain the fettucini, then toss with the lemon garlic mixture. Top with the parsley, ground pepper, and Parmesan cheese, and toss again to combine.

Mushroom Linguine

Mushroom Linguine

linguine-su-633515-x8 ounces dried linguine

1 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth or vegetable broth

1/3 cup whipping cream

Sautéed mushrooms

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Salt and pepper

Finely shredded parmesan cheese

 

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring 3 quarts water to a boil. Add linguine, stir, and cook until barely tender to bite, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain. Add broth and whipping cream to sautéed mushrooms in pan over high heat; stir until mixture is boiling. Add drained pasta and stir until hot. Pour onto a platter or dinner plates. Garnish pasta with parsley, and add salt, pepper, and shredded parmesan cheese to taste.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 374

Fat: 14g

Fiber: 2.9g

Ways to Doctor Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

Ways to Doctor Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

1. Stir in one half cup diced smoked salmon.
2. Add 1/2 cup steamed cauliflower florets and a dash of nutmeg.
3. Stir in one half cup spinach that has been well drained.
4. Stir in one cup cooked ground beef that you have seasoned with salt and pepper and drained well.
5. Sauté a tablespoon of minced garlic in butter and then stir it into the mac and cheese.
6. Stir in one cup drained white kidney beans and a teaspoon of dried thyme and mix well.
7. Cut the skin from Italian sausage and chop it up into small pieces. Cook it done and drain well and add a cup of the chopped cooked sausage to your mac and cheese.
8. Toss a cup of toasted bread crumbs in olive oil and then sprinkle them with Parmesan Cheese. Toast them under a broiler and then stir a cup full into your mac and cheese.
9. Stir in one cup of diced cooked ham.
10. Stir in one cup of small baby shrimp and a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
11. Sauté some thin strips of red and green bell peppers in a pan with some olive oil and some fresh minced garlic and stir it into the mac and cheese.
12. Stir in a can of tomatoes with green chilies into your mac and cheese and stir well.
13. Really jazz it up by stirring in a half cup of cooked peas, a half cup of broccoli florets and a 1/2 cup of cooked chopped ham.
14. Sauté a large container of fresh chopped button mushrooms in butter and stir them into your mac and cheese.
15. Stir a half cup of cooked crumbled crisp bacon and a half cup of fresh diced tomatoes into your mac and cheese.
16. Take a half cup of drained canned tuna and a teaspoon of fine diced capers and stir them into a cooked and prepared box of mac and cheese. Pour this into a casserole dish and spread the top of the dish with sour cream and then top the dish with bread crumbs sautéed in butter, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic
17. Make a jazzed up taco chicken casserole by cooking boned skinless chicken thighs sprinkled with dry taco seasoning until your chicken is done and then chop your chicken up fine. Stir the chopped cooked chicken up into a prepared box of mac and cheese and then stir in a half cup of sour cream and a half cup of fine shredded Mexican Cheese and pour everything out into a casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with more shredded Mexican cheese and put in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10 – 12 minutes until you can see that all the cheese is well melted.

Cellentani with Fire Roasted Artichokes, Smoked Pancetta And Pecorino Toscano Cheese

Cellentani with Fire Roasted Artichokes, Smoked Pancetta And Pecorino Toscano Cheese

Cellentani-With-Fire-Roasted-Artichokes-Smoked-Pancetta-And-Pecorino-Toscano-Cheese1 lb. Cellentani Pasta
1/3 cup Italian pancetta, smoked
½ T. Pine nuts
2 T.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
1 cup White onions, chopped
2 cups Artichokes, fire-roasted
Salt to taste
Black pepper, freshly ground to taste
2 T. Ripe tomatoes on the vine, diced
1 cup Pecorino Toscano cheese, shredded
½ T. Fresh parsley, chopped

Sauté the pancetta until crispy; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté the pine nuts until slightly brown; set aside. Cook the cellentani according to package directions. Meanwhile, sweat the onions with half of the olive oil until translucent. Add the artichokes and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; add a small ladle of the pasta cooking water to the skillet. Drain the cellentani while it is slightly undercooked and add it to the vegetable mixture; sauté for 2 minutes, until the water is reduced and the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir in the parsley, cheese, tomatoes, and pine nuts. Drizzle with the remaining oil before serving.

Pasta Salad with Peas and Pesto

Pasta Salad with Peas and Pesto

1 cup p2012-04-11-pasta-salad-peas-pesto-primary-thumb-625xauto-233926acked fresh basil or mint (or combination), plus more for garnish
1 large garlic clove, roughly chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
1 ounce (about 1/4 cup) freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano
3 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts or pinenuts, plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, from 1-2 lemons
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Salad:
1/2 pound (8 ounces) gemelli pasta, cooked, drained and cooled
8 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) frozen green peas, thawed

To make the pesto, combine the herbs, garlic, cheese, nuts, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse several times until finely chopped. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then set aside. In a large bowl, combine the pasta and peas. Add the pesto little by little until salad is adequately dressed. Season to taste with salt, pepper and more lemon juice. Garnish salad with chopped nuts and chopped herbs, if desired.

Clams with Linguini, Garlic, and Tomatoes

Clams with Linguini, Garlic, and Tomatoes

20130730-one-pot-wonders-clam-tomato-pasta-thumb-625xauto-3429472 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of dried red chili flakes
3 minced cloves garlic minced or grated with a microplane (about 1 tablespoon)
1/4 cup white wine
4 cups homemade vegetable or chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium broth
1 pound dried linguini, broken in half
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
2 pounds littleneck clams or manila clams, scrubbed
1 tablespoon zest and 2 tablespoons fresh juice from 1 lemon

Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the onions soften, about 3 minutes. Add the chili flakes and garlic and cook until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds more. Add the white wine and stir together. Add the stock to the pan with the linguini and adjust the heat to maintain a vigorous boil and cook until the pasta has begun to soften and is halfway through the cooking process, about 5 minutes. Then add half of the parsley and half of the tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the clams, cover and cook until they open, 6 to 8 minutes, making sure to stir and scrape the bottom of the pan so nothing sticks. Discard any clams that do not open. Finish with the lemon juice and zest, black pepper and the remaining parsley and tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and serve immediately.

Creamy Mushroom and Garlic Pasta

Creamy Mushroom and Garlic Pasta

mushroom1 lb. pasta (I used spaghetti), although you could also use the sauce on top of four chicken breasts
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
12 ounces mushrooms (about 18 white button or baby Portobello mushrooms), sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 large green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. flour
1 and ½ cups milk (I used skim)
â…” Cup parmesan cheese, shredded, plus extra for garnish
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish

Cook pasta in very salty water according to recipe or package directions. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, garlic, green onions, salt and pepper to oil and saute until mushrooms have reduced in size, about 4 minutes. If the mushrooms soak up all the olive oil, add another tablespoon. Add flour to saucepan and stir to incorporate all ingredients. Cook for one minute. Add ½ cup of the milk and stir to break up any lumps of the mushroom and flour mixture. The milk will thicken fairly quickly; that’s okay. Add the remainder of the milk and stir to incorporate all ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook until milk has thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and stir in parmesan cheese. If you can, shred your own cheese – pre-shredded cheese has additives in it that make it more difficult for the cheese to melt smoothly. Stir in the chopped parsley. Garnish with extra parsley and shredded parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Strip Steaks with a side of Blue Cheese Spaghetti

Strip Steaks with a side of Blue Cheese Spaghetti

4tm1312_steaks2_jpg_rend_sni12col_landscape slices bacon
4 8oz New York strip steaks
Coarse salt
Coarse black pepper
5 T. unsalted butter
2 T. chopped fresh chives
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound spaghetti
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 C. chicken stock or broth
1/2 C. heavy cream
8oz blue cheese crumbles
2-3 T. chopped fresh sage
2 C. cleaned, trimmed, and shredded arugula

Put a large pot of water on the stove to boil for the pasta. Preheat the broiler on high. Arrange the bacon on a slotted broiler pan and cook until crisp on both sides. Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. Remove the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Arrange the steaks on the broiler pan. Place under the broiler and leave the oven door ajar to limit flare-ups and smoke. (Note: some broilers won’t go on with the door open). Cook 4 minutes on each side for medium rare, up to 7 minutes for medium well. Soften 4 T. of the butter in the microwave on high for 15 seconds. Mix in the chives and half of the minced garlic and reserve. Salt the water for the pasta and add the spaghetti to the pot. Cook al dente, with a bite to it. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the EVOO and the remaining T. of butter. When the butter melts into the EVOO, add the remaining garlic and the shallots, sauté for 3 minutes, add the flour and cook for a minute more. Whisk in the stock, bring to a bubble for about 30 seconds, then stir in the cream. When the cream comes to a bubble, add the blue cheese and sage and a few grinds of black pepper. Turn off the heat. Stir until the cheese melts. Remove the steaks from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Spoon one fourth of the chive and garlic butter on each steak to melt down over the meat as they rest. Drain the pasta and toss with the blue cheese sauce to coat and combine evenly, then taste to adjust the seasoning. Chop and crumble the cooked bacon. Serve the steaks with heaping portions of the pasta alongside. Top the pasta with the shredded arugula and bacon crumbles to mix in as you eat.

Chicken in Lemon Cream with Penne

Chicken in Lemon Cream with Penne

1 6124427796_78a11229f2_zlb penne pasta
3 T. EVOO
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, diced into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp. herbes de Provence
Pinch of salt, plus ½ teaspoon
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper, plus ¼ teaspoon
1 C. reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 C. heavy cream
Zest of 1 lemon
Pinch of cayenne pepper
¼ C. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken breast with the herbes de Provence and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and set aside. Pour off any excess oil from the pan. Add the chicken broth to the pan and cook over medium-high heat, using a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the cream, lemon zest, and cayenne. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the pasta, chicken, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken with the sauce and serve.

Linguine with Butter, Pecorino, Arugula, and Black Pepper

Linguine with Butter, Pecorino, Arugula, and Black Pepper

1 lb. linguine
1/4 C. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 C. finely grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
1 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 C. coarsely chopped arugula
Salt, to taste

Linguine-with-Arugula-1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the linguine and cook until it is al dente, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water.   Immediately toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with the butter to coat. While tossing the linguine, gradually sprinkle the cheese, pepper, and enough of the reserved pasta water evenly over the linguine to moisten. Add the arugula and toss to combine. Season the pasta with salt. Divide the pasta among 6 plates and serve.

Saucy, Italian “Drunken” Noodles with Spicy Italian Sausage, Tomatoes and Caramelized Onions and Red and Yellow Bell Peppers, with Fresh Basil

Saucy, Italian “Drunken” Noodles with Spicy Italian Sausage, Tomatoes and Caramelized Onions and Red and Yellow Bell Peppers, with Fresh Basil

drunken pastaOlive oil
4 spicy Italian sausage links, casings removed
1 large onion, quartered and sliced thinly
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
1 orange bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
½ cup white wine (I used Chardonnay)
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, julienned, divided use
8 ounces Pappardelle noodles, uncooked

Place a large, heavy-bottom pan or braising pot over medium-high heat; add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and once the oil is hot, crumble the spicy Italian sausage into the pan in small chunks (you want to keep the sausage fairly chunky), allowing it to brown in the oil for a few moments on each side; once the crumbled sausage is browned, remove it from the pan/pot with a slotted spoon and place into a small bowl to hold for a moment; next, add the sliced onion into the pan with the sausage drippings, and allow it to caramelize and become golden for roughly 5 minutes or so, stirring to keep it from burning (add a touch more olive oil, if necessary); once the onion starts to become golden, add the salt, Italian seasoning and cracked black pepper, and stir to combine, then add in the sliced bell peppers, and allow those to sauté with the onion for about 2 minutes until slightly tender and golden; next, add in the garlic, and once it becomes aromatic, add in the white wine and allow it to reduce for a few moments, until almost completely reduced; next, add in the diced tomatoes with their juice, and return the browned spicy Italian sausage back into the pan, and gently fold the mixture to combine; allow it to gently simmer for about 3-4 minutes to blend the flavors, then turn the heat off; to finish the sauce, drizzle in about 2-3 good tablespoons of the olive oil to create a silky, rich flavor, and add in the chopped parsley and about half of the julienned basil; stir, and keep warm while you prepare the noodles. Prepare the pappardelle noodles according to instructions on package; then, drain the noodles very well, and add them directly into the sauce, using tongs to gently toss and combine the pappardelle noodles with the sauce and all of the ingredients in it; check the seasoning to see if you need to add any additional salt or pepper. To serve, add equal portions of the “Drunken” noodles to bowls, and garnish with a sprinkle of the remaining julienned basil; you can even top with shaved Parmesan, if desired, and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

One-Pan Coconut Shrimp Noodle Bowls

One-Pan Coconut Shrimp Noodle Bowls

cocobowls1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 pound extra-large shrimp; thawed, peeled and deveined
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. freshly minced ginger
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk
2 cups fish stock (or seafood, or chicken, whatevs)
7 oz (half a box) pad Thai noodles
1 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp sriracha sauce
1 cup cilantro leaves (plus more for garnish)
2 scallions, diced
1 lime (or more!)

Heat the oils in a large straight-sided pan over medium-high. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and sear on both sides until you get a nice sear, about 5 minutes total. Remove from pan and set aside. Back in the pan, add more oil if needed and toss in the garlic, ginger and bell pepper. Sauté for one minute, then add the coconut milk, stock, noodles, fish sauce, sriracha sauce, cilantro and scallions. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer until noodles cook through, about 5 minutes. Take off the heat and add a few big squeezes of lime juice. Now taste that.  Need anything? Add a little salt if you want. More lime juice? Yes. Stir the shrimp back in and toss to combine. Serve with more cilantro on top.

Southern Style Macaroni & Cheese

Southern Style Macaroni & Cheese

129-elbow-room_southern-style-mac-and-cheese4001 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
8 oz. hollow pasta, preferably elbow macaroni
Butter, for greasing
7 oz. extra-sharp cheddar, cut into 1⁄2″ cubes (about 1 1⁄2 cups), plus 6 oz. grated (about 2 cups)
2 T. plus 1 tsp. flour
1 1⁄2 tsp. dry mustard
1⁄4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1⁄4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1⁄8 tsp. cayenne pepper
2⁄3 cup sour cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1⁄2 cups half-and-half
1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
1⁄3 cup grated onion
1 tsp. Worcestershire

Heat oven to 350°. Bring a 4-qt. saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until cooked halfway through, about 3 minutes. Drain pasta and transfer to a greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Stir in the cubed cheddar cheese and set aside. Combine 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt, flour, mustard, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl. Add the sour cream and the eggs and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, heavy cream, onions, and Worcestershire. Pour egg mixture over the reserved pasta mixture and stir to combine. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the surface. Bake until the pasta mixture is set around the edges but still a bit loose in the center, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving

Tortellini Salad

Tortellini Salad

tortellinsalad1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed

1 cup pepperoni, chopped

1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half

1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

2/3 cup Caesar salad dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water and drain again. Transfer cooked tortellini to a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Toss well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Sweet and Tangy Angel Hair

Sweet and Tangy Angel Hair

1 pound angel hair pasta
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 C. unsalted butter
1/4 C. honey
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, sauté the garlic in the butter, then stir in the honey, basil and thyme. Drain the pasta, add it to the garlic mixture, and toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

Authentic White Clam Sauce

Authentic White Clam Sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T. olive oil

2 T. butter

2 6.5 oz cans minced or chopped clams

1 T. chopped fresh parsley

1 T. chopped fresh basil

1/4 C. white wine

 

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic in oil and butter. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over hot cooked pasta with grated parmesan cheese. Variation: Add 1 can whole tomatoes, drained and 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves before bringing sauce to boil.

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Asian Pinwheel Steaks with Noodle and Cabbage Sauté

Asian Pinwheel Steaks with Noodle and Cabbage Sauté

Coarse salt

1/2 lb. angel hair pasta

1/3 C. roasted unsalted peanuts

2 C. fresh ready-to-eat baby spinach leaves

1/2 C. fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (a couple of generous handfuls)

1/4 C. cilantro leaves (half as much as the parsley)

3 garlic cloves, chopped

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

3-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated, divided

4 T. tamari (dark aged soy sauce, found in the international aisle), divided

6 scallions, chopped, divided

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco

1/4 C. plus 2 T. vegetable oil, plus some for drizzling, divided

2 3/4-inch-thick New York strip steaks

Metal skewers

1 sack (16 oz.) shredded cabbage “slaw mix” (on the produce aisle)

2 T. rice wine vinegar (eyeball it)

1 C. chicken stock or broth

 

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and the pasta, and cook until al dente, with a bite to it. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. While the pasta water is heating, in the bowl of a food processor, place the peanuts, spinach, parsley, cilantro, three fourths of the garlic, the lemon zest and juice, one third of the ginger, 1 T. of the tamari, one fourth of the chopped scallions, a little salt and pepper, and the cayenne and pulse-grind the ingredients to form a paste. While the machine is still running, slowly pour in the 1/4 C. of vegetable oil. Taste and adjust the seasonings; reserve. Place steaks several inches apart between layers of wax paper. With a meat mallet or a heavy-bottomed pan, lb. the steaks to half their thickness. Season each steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Cover each steak with a thin layer of the peanut filling. Roll the steaks tightly and cut each in half across. Secure the pinwheels with a carefully placed skewer and set the 4 pinwheels on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with a little oil and roast for 12 to 15 minutes. While the pinwheels are cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the remaining 2 T. of vegetable oil (twice around the pan). Add the cabbage, the remaining ginger and the remaining garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the remaining 3 T. of tamari, the rice wine vinegar, and chicken stock. Bring up to a simmer and add the reserved noodles and the remaining scallions. Toss to coat and continue to cook for 1 minute to heat the noodles through. Taste to adjust the seasoning with more tamari or salt and pepper. To serve, remove the skewers and transfer the pinwheels to dinner plates. Serve some of the noodle and cabbage sauté alongside.

Asiago Chicken and Cavatappi

Asiago Chicken and Cavatappi

1 1/2 C. uncooked cavatappi pasta (5 oz.)

3/4 C. boiling water

1/2 C. julienne strips sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 tsp. garlic pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

2 C. frozen baby bean and carrot blend (from 1-lb. bag)

1/4 C. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 C. shredded Asiago cheese (1 oz.)

 

Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, pour boiling water over tomatoes; let stand 10 minutes.    Meanwhile, spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.  Cook chicken, garlic pepper and salt in skillet 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until chicken is brown. Stir in tomato mixture and vegetables. Cover and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center and vegetables are crisp-tender.    Stir in pasta; cook and stir until thoroughly heated. Stir in parsley. Sprinkle with cheese.

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Big Beef Balls with Bucatini

Big Beef Balls with Bucatini

Big Beef Balls with Bucatini

Coarse salt

3/4 lb. bucatini (thick, hollow spaghetti)

1 lb. ground sirloin

6 garlic cloves, 2 minced, 4 chopped

1 egg

1/2-2/3 C. Italian-style bread crumbs

1/2 C. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus some to pass at the table

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

coarse black pepper

3 T. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus some for drizzling

1 small to medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1/2 C. dry red wine

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes

1 8oz can tomato sauce

1/2 C. fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

3 T. capers, drained and chopped

2 T. chopped fresh sage

1/4 lb. pancetta, chopped

12 cremini (baby portobello) mushroom caps, chopped

1/2 C. beef stock or broth

 

Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions in 1 T. of the EVOO for 5 minutes. Remove the onions and set them aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix the meat with half the onions, 3 cloves chopped garlic, the egg, bread crumbs, cheese, allspice, capers, sage, a handful of the chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and a healthy drizzle of EVOO. Score the meat into 4 sections and make 3 very large balls from each section. Arrange the 12 balls on a nonstick cookie sheet and roast 15 minutes until firm but not hard. Drop the bucatini in the salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain. While the pasta and meatballs are cooking, heat another T. of EVOO in the skillet in which the onions were cooked. Add the pancetta and cook 3-4 minutes, then add the remaining garlic and the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Add the remaining onions back and deglaze the pan with the red wine, cook for 1 minute, add the beef stock, and whisk up any brown bits. Stir in the tomatoes and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Stir in the remaining parsley. Simmer 5 minutes. Toss the pasta with half the sauce. Remove the meatballs from the oven and add to the remaining sauce, turning to coat. Serve 3 meatballs per person alongside the pasta. Spoon any remaining sauce over the pasta. Pass extra cheese at the table. Serve with a green salad.