Tag: Pasta
Cauliflower and Sausage Pasta with Pesto
- 1 cauliflower head, cut into florets
- Olive oil
- Salt
- 2 to 3 sausage, crumbled
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- ½ pound cooked pasta with 1 cup pasta water spared
Transfer the cauliflower florets to a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle salt and olive oil. Roast under a hot broiler till all sides are golden brown- about 10 minutes on each side. Take out and keep aside.
Pesto
- 1 full cup fresh basil
- 1 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup pistachios
- 2 anchovy fillets
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt
Add the garlic and pistachios to a food processor. Pulse till chopped. Add the basil, anchovy fillets, start pulsing and drizzle the olive oil and proxess till a smooth sauce is formed. Take out of the processor, add the cheese, lemon juice and salt to taste. Keep aside.
Heat a wide frying pan and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the crumbled sausage and sauté on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt and sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and ½ cup of the pasta water. Add the pesto, mix well and check for seasonings. Add more pasta water if necessary. Serve warm.
Fettuccine with Scallops and Garlic
I served this delicious pasta dish with some yummy asparagus, simply cooked with some olive oil and salt… very springy!!
- ½ pound fresh fettuccine
- Salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 10 large scallops, cleaned
- ½ cup clam juice
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package label and reserve ½ cup cooking water, then drain and keep aside.
In the meantime, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the scallops on both sides about 30 seconds each. Take out and keep aside, let cool and slice each scallop into 3 to 4 slices. Reheat the pan on medium heat and add the garlic, red pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook for about a minute. Add the clam juice, lemon zest and juice. Add the pasta and the pasta water. Add the scallops and parsley, toss to coat and cook for another minute or two until the scallops have warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil before serving.
Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Asparagus & Broccolini with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Another pasta dish but completely different from yesterday… this has spring vegetables and is topped with the most delicious toasted breadcrumbs…
- 1 lb plum tomatoes, cut in half and seeds scooped out
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
Place the tomatoes face down on a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Roast them for 3 hours until soft. Let cool and scrape off any lose skin. Chop the tomatoes and set aside.
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed and sliced in half
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Transfer the vegetables to a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper and roast for about 30 minutes. Take out and keep aside.
- ½ pound cooked pasta plus 1 cup of pasta water, penne or any kind
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large shallot, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil and butter. Add the shallot and garlic. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and pasta water. Bring to a boil and simmer for a minute. Add the pasta and the vegetables. Mix well and season accordingly.
Toasted Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Heat a medium frying pan with the olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and garlic with the salt. Saute on medium heat, stirring constantly, making sure the breadcrumbs don’t burn. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes and keep aside and let cool. Once cool, add the parsley and cheese. Mix well and top the pasta before serving.
Parsley Pesto Pasta with Roasted Asparagus
When I think of spring, I think of asparagus and I think fresh green pesto. This pasta dish is a combination of both. I made a delicious parsley pesto which is very easy to make. I paired it with delicious roasted or grilled asparagus. It is a great side dish or a meal!
- 2 cups fresh parsley
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup pistachios
- Juice of half lemon
- ¼ to ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano
Transfer the parsley, garlic, pistachios and lemon juice to a food processor. Process till a smooth paste begins to form. With the top open, drizzle the oil till the pesto begins to form. Transfer to a small bowl and add the salt and cheese. Check for seasonings.
- 2 bunches asparagus
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut the ends off the asparagus and cut the tops into 2 inch pieces. Transfer to a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt. Mix well and roast in oven for 30 minutes for till golden brown. Take out and keep aside.
- ½ pound pasta, cooked al dente with 1 cup pasta water saved
Transfer pasta to a large frying pan. Add the pesto and the saved pasta water and stir over low heat till all the ingredients have come together. Fold in the roasted asparagus and check for seasonings. Serve with grated cheese.
Pasta Primavera with Rice Pasta
Another gluten free, vegetarian recipe!!
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped into ¼ inch pieces
- 1 10 oz Cremini mushrooms, chopped into ¼ inch pieces
- 2 medium shallots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
- 2 cups homemade or store bought marinara sauce
- ½ pound rice pasta, cooked
- Salt
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Heat a large frying pan with olive oil. Add the mushrooms and sauté on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary and shallots. Saute for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the zucchini and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add the marinara sauce and mix well. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Check for seasonings and top with Parmesan cheese.
Chicken and Mushroom Ragu
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound dark meat ground chicken
- 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium shallots, chopped
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ½ pound cooked pasta
- Salt
Heat a large frying pan with olive oil. Add the ground chicken and separate with a wooden spoon while sautéing over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the thyme, garlic and shallots. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes and add the wine. Mix well and scrape the bottom. Add the marinara sauce and cook for ten minutes on a simmer with the lid on. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Check for seasonings and serve hot.
Pasta with Beans and Artichoke
This is a simple pasta made with ingredients in my pantry and fridge… very delicious!
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pancetta, chopped
1 large shallot, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
½ cup marinated artichoke hearts, crushed with fingers
1 14 ounces cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
½ pound orcchiette pasta cooked al dente with 2 cups pasta water spared
Salt
½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
½ cup parsley, chopped
Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil. Add the pancetta and sauté on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes till pancetta is golden brown. Add the shallot and garlic and sauté on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the artichoke and beans. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the cooked pasta with 1 cup pasta water. Mix well and bring to a boil. Add the cheese and parsley. Check for seasonings and add more salt and pasta water as needed. Serve warm.