Boil a pot of water, add salt. In a large skillet, add cubed pancetta–about two big slices worth. Add a splash of olive oil, raise the heat and let the pancetta start to brown. When it’s getting closer to brown than not-brown, add broccoli florets–about two heads worth–to the salted water. Add 2 or 3 cloves of slivered garlic to the pancetta and some red pepper flakes. (Watch the garlic: don’t let it burn.) When the broccoli is just cooked, but still al dente (1 or 2 minutes) lift with a spider into the skillet with the pancetta and garlic. Now drop a 1 lb box of orecchiette into that same salted broccoli water; stir it all around so the pasta doesn’t stick to itself. Lower the heat on the broccoli and if the pan is too dry, add some pasta cooking water. Keep it on the lowest flame while the pasta cooks. When the pasta’s just al dente (9 minutes later) add with the spider to the skillet with the broccoli and pancetta (it’s ok if some pasta water gets in, it helps make the sauce). Toss all around until everything’s coated and the pasta’s totally cooked through and then, off the heat, add copious amounts of Parmesan cheese and one final drizzle of olive oil. Magnifico! There you have it: Orecchiette with Broccoli & Pancetta.
Pasta with prosciutto & peppers for two October 24, 2007
Ingredients
1 small red onion, chopped fine
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped fine
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
a 7-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped fine
3/4 cup finely chopped prosciutto or other ham (about 3 ounces)
1/2 pound gigi del gargano (ruffle-edged, cone-shaped pasta) or rotini (spiral pasta)
1 cup packed mixed fresh herbs such as basil, mint, and parsley leaves, chopped fine
lemon wedges as an accompaniment
freshly grated Parmesan cheese as an accompaniment
Directions
In a heavy skillet cook onion and yellow pepper in 1 tablespoon oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened and stir in red peppers and ham. In a kettle of salted boiling water cook pasta until al dente and drain well. In a bowl toss pasta with pepper mixture, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve pasta with lemon and Parmesan.
pasta with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, gorgonzola and pine nuts October 24, 2007
Just in time for the weekend, some easy pasta recipes!
Ingredients
1/ 2cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (2 tablespoons oil reserved)
2 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (about 9 ounces total)
1 pound gnocchi pasta or medium shell pasta
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped prosciutto
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon oil reserved from tomatoes in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to skillet and sauté until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate and cool; do not clean skillet. Cut chicken into 1/2-inch pieces.
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta; transfer to large bowl.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon tomato oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté until tender, about 1 minute. Add sun-dried tomatoes, chicken, basil, broth, cheese and prosciutto to skillet and bring to boil.
Add sauce to pasta and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with pine nuts and serve.
