Tagged:  pasta

At this time of year there’s no doubt that herbs are the rage. My home garden is lush with beautiful green leaves –  parsley, cilantro, oregano, marjoram, sage, thyme and the most important herb of all – basil.

For this pesto recipe, I combined the aromatic basil leaves with almonds. This incredible Basil Almond Pesto will help you serve great panini or pasta dishes in minutes. Don’t know about you, but with all that extra time, I’d rather go to a movie or enjoy a great outdoor activity such as biking on a mountain trail or rollerblading at Santa Monica Beach.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 1 pint

Ingredients:
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup whole almonds (unroasted and unsalted)
2 cups fresh, Italian flat parsley leaves, slightly packed (washed and spun dry)
2 cups fresh basil leaves, slightly packed (washed and spun dry)*
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1. In a food processor, grind the garlic and salt.

2. Add the almonds and process until they are ground (make sure they do not turn into a paste).

3. Open the food processor cover and add the parsley and basil leaves, making sure they fit inside barrel. Cover and process until the leaves and almonds have combined and the pesto has formed.

4. Add the cheese and process once more until mixture is uniform.

5. With the motor running, slowly pour the oil into the pesto in a thin stream.

6. Using a spoon, transfer the pesto to a glass jar, flattening the top. Gently and slowly pour the vegetable oil over top of pesto to seal it (this will prevent the pesto from blackening). Cover and refrigerate.

Pesto sauces keep in refrigerator up to 3 weeks. Whenever using small amounts of pesto, make sure the remaining portion inside jar is covered with vegetable oil.

Pasta with Basil Almond Pesto – Serves 4:

1. While waiting for one pound of pasta to cook, spoon about 3/4 cup pesto into a glass or porcelain serving bowl.

2. Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the bowl with the pesto. Gently toss the pasta until it is evenly coated with the pesto.

3. For a creamier texture, add 2 to 3 tablespoons whipping cream and toss.

Serve immediately and ask guests to sprinkle some grated cheese over their pasta, if desired.

Pesto can also be used as a spread on toasted Italian or French bread and in panini.

*Note: After basil leaves have been spun dry, lay each leaf flat on paper towels. Using another paper towel, pat each leaf dry, on both sides. This will prevent the leaves from blackening.

Text and Photograph ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real

This scrumptious pasta was presented to my husband while we were in Rome, Italy. It’s called chitarra, which means “guitar” because the freshly-made pasta sheet is placed on a cutter with strings. By pushing the sheet through strings, the result is a variety of pasta called chitarra. Its shape is long and slightly thicker than spaghetti. Chitarra can be purchased either in Italian grocery stores or from online gourmet food companies.

Typically from Lazio (Rome’s region), chitarra can be made with different sauces. This recipe combines mushrooms, peas, cream and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. It’s not only a traditional dish, but it’s easy – and I’d say that this is the best part!

Prep time: 20 to 25 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
8 ounces white mushrooms (cultivated variety), rinsed and pat dry with paper towels
4 tablespoons fine quality olive oil
1 scallion, peeled and finely chopped
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 pound chitarra pasta variety (spaghetti can be substituted)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (optional)
1/2 to 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

1. Fill a 6-quart sauce pot with water and set it on high heat.

2. Meanwhile, slice the mushrooms and set them aside in a bowl.

3. In a 12-inch skillet, heat the oil. Add the mushrooms and chopped scallion to the oil in skillet.

4. Using a wooden spoon, stir fry the mushroom mixture on medium-high heat. When onion is translucent, stir in the salt and pepper, to taste.

5. Continue cooking on medium heat until 3/4 of the mushroom liquid has been absorbed; set skillet with mushroom mixture aside.

6. In the meantime, add the pasta and 1 teaspoon salt to the boiling water.

7. Cook pasta for 6 to 7  minutes.

8. After 6 to 7 minutes, add peas to the pasta water.

9. Cook pasta and peas for an additional 2 to 4 minutes or until pasta is al dente (crunchy-tender).

10. While waiting for pasta to finish cooking, heat the skillet with mushroom mixture.

11. Drain the pasta and peas in a colander (reserve 1-1/2 cups pasta liquid).

12. Transfer the pasta and peas to the hot mushroom mixture in skillet. Stir in 1 cup of the pasta liquid.

13. Using two wooden spoons, gently toss the pasta-mushroom mixture as it simmers or boils.

14. Stir in the cream and 1/2 cup of the cheese.

15. Gently toss and cook until the cream has thickened and pasta has heated through.

16. If pasta seems a little dry, add remaining 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Stir in a little more cheese, to taste.

Serve immediately.

Wine pairing suggestion: Chilled Trebbiano or Pinot Grigio (whites).

Text and Photograph ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real

When I lived in the Campania region of Southern Italy, I was my Nonna Annunziata’s sous-chef. I was in charge of making meatballs that would be added to the traditional tomato sauce – every Sunday! At age 10, the kitchen was the last place I wanted to hang out in. And, I got so bored with the usual meatballs that I didn’t eat any for years.

Thanks to my husband, who is from Mexico, I’ve learned to combine a few “His-and-Hers” ingredients and invented this recipe. First, I make the “hot” tomato-chipotle sauce (yes, I add those smoky chiles to the tomatoes). Once the sauce is made, I stir some of it into the meatball mixture and “Ay-ay-ay – che pasta deliziosa!”

Prep time: 20 minutes (forTomato Chipotle Sauce); 30 minutes (for Meatballs)
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
1 medium yellow or white onion, quartered
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
One 32-ounce can Muir Glen Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes
1 to 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce*
Salt & ground black pepper, to taste
Dash freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 bay leaves
1 pound fettuccine (to be cooked later)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 pounds ground dark turkey meat
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow or white onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped, fresh oregano
3 tablespoons finely chopoped, fresh, flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon salt
Dash ground black pepper
Dash freshly grated nutmeg
1 large egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup tomato-chipotle sauce (this was set aside earlier, to cool)

PREPARE THE SAUCE:

1. In a food processor, chop the onion and garlic; set aside.

2. Pour the oil in a 6-quart sauce pot set on high heat.

3. When oil is hot but not smoking, stir in the onion-garlic mixture and sauté on medium-high heat for 2 minutes until onion is translucent. Remove sauce pot from heat and set aside.

4. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée the tomatoes with one chipotle chile. Taste and, if more heat is desired, add another chipotle chile; purée.

5. Return the sauce pot to a hot burner set on medium-high. Stir in the puréed tomato-chiles, salt, black pepper, nutmeg and sugar.

6. Bring the sauce to a boil and add the leaves. Stir the sauce, lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. After 15 minutes, turn off the burner.

8. In a glass or porcelain bowl, set aside 3/4 cup of the tomato-chipotle sauce to cool. Cover remaining sauce in sauce pot and set aside.

9. In a 6-quart sauce pot set on medium heat, bring 3-1/2 quarts water to boil. Lower heat and keep water at a gentle boil.

MEANWHILE, PREPARE THE MEATBALLS:

1. Wash and dry hands. In a large glass or porcelain mixing bowl, combine above ingredients and gently mix with clean hands.

2. Wash hands again. With slightly wet hands, shape meat into 2-inch balls. Set the meatballs on a platter.

3. Bring the water in pot to a high boil.

4. Gently drop each meatball into pot and cook or boil the meatballs approximately 8 minutes.

5. After 8 minutes, test one meatball by putting it on a plate and cutting it in half. If the inside of the meatball is no longer pink, but gray, it is done. If the meat is still pink, boil the meatballs another 3 to 4 minutes.

6. With a slotted spoon, remove meatballs from boiling water and transfer them to the tomato-chipotle sauce.

7. Bring the sauce with meatballs to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Set sauce pot aside.

COOK THE FETTUCCINE:

1. Fill another 6-quart sauce pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the fettuccine and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt.

2. Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until “al dente” (crunchy-tender).

3. After 8 minutes, taste the pasta. If it is not tender enough, cook for an additional 2 minutes. Taste again to check doneness of pasta. Drain pasta in a colander.

4. Return the pasta to pot and stir in 2 to 3 ladles of the tomato-chipotle sauce. If more sauce is desired, add 1 to 2 more ladles of sauce to the pasta.

5. Serve pasta in individual bowls with 1 to 2 meatballs. Ask guests to add grated Pecorino-Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, if desired.

Wine pairing suggestion: Cabernet Sauvignon or Chianti.

*Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are a canned product and carried in the international foods section of a supermarket or a Latin American specialty store.

Text & Photographs © 2012 Nancy DeLucia Real

ENTER OUR KITCHEN, WATCH & LEARN

Although I don’t enjoy getting my hands full of dirt, I love grabbing kitchen shears and heading to my husband’s organic herb garden. Just last week, I looked for some fresh basil so that I could make traditional basil pesto, but harvested bunches of parsley and cilantro instead. By adding edamame to my novelty pesto sauce, I created this aromatic and exotic pasta dish.

Prep time: 10 to 15 minutes (for pesto); 8 to 10 minutes (for cooking pasta & edamame)
Makes: 1 to 2 cups Cilantro Pesto
Serves: 4 to 6

For the Cilantro Pesto:
2 cups lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed
2 cups lightly packed fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, stems removed
2 whole garlic cloves, peeled and hearts removed
1½ teaspoon salt
2/3 cup whole, natural almonds (skin on)
½ cup extra virgin olive
½ cup vegetable oil

1. Measure cilantro and parsley leaves; set aside.

2. In a food processor, grind the garlic and the salt.

3. Add cilantro and parsley leaves and process until finely chopped.

4. Add the almonds and grind.

5. Combine both oils in a measuring cup and, with motor running on low speed, pour the oils in a slow, steady stream until a paste or “pesto” forms.

6. Transfer the pesto to a glass jar and gently spoon extra vegetable oil on top to seal (this prevents blackening). Cover with a tightly fitting lid and refrigerate.

For the Pasta:
1 pound penne pasta (or other short variety)
¾ to 1 teaspoon salt
1 to 1½ cups frozen edamame
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (optional)

1. In a 5-quart saucepot, bring 3½ cups water to a boil. Add the pasta and salt; cook on medium-high, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. After 8 minutes, add frozen edamame to the pasta during the last minute or two of cooking.

3. Meanwhile, spoon 2/3 cup Cilantro Pesto into a large glass or porcelain serving bowl; set aside.

4. When pasta and edamame are cooked and drained, toss them immediately with the pesto in bowl. Taste and adjust salt and extra virgin olive oil level. For a creamier consistency, add 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream.

5. Serve in individual bowls. If desired, sprinkle lightly with Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese – too much cheese will conflict with the distinct aroma and flavor of cilantro.

Wine pairing: Chilled Pinot Grigio (white) or Bordeaux (red).

Notes: If a stronger cilantro flavor is desired, change the amounts of cilantro and parsley – use 2½ cups cilantro and 1½ cups parsley leaves.

Each time pesto is taken out of the jar, be sure to add a thin layer of vegetable oil to remaining pesto in jar. Seal the jar and refrigerate up to 3 weeks.

Text and Photograph ©2011 Nancy DeLucia Real

Yesterday, I received lots of compliments on this classic American dish. I must say that my gourmet colleagues and friends at the museum definitely have “the palate”. As stated by one Mac N’ Cheese connoisseur, Lilit, “First, I tasted the Parmigiano, then the Gruyère … and the sharp Cheddar, which lingered – BTW, I love Gruyère.” When I asked Jen (another expert on this dish) if the Cheddar stood out too much, she stated, “That’s what I really liked about it – the sharp Cheddar taste!” Noelle, an initiator of the Mac N’ Cheese rage at our workplace, chimed in with, “Your Mac N’ Cheese was to die for! And the hint of jalapeño was perfect!”

I softened the blow on the jalapeño by adding a mere tablespoon, but I normally triple the amount – hence the name of this fabulous dish – Hot Mac N’ Cheese Wheels. So when you get the wheels rollin’ on this recipe just tweak it your way and have fun!

Active prep time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
1 pound pasta (short variety)
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup finely minced white or brown onion
1 to 3 tablespoons finely minced jalapeño pepper (optional)
1/3 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk (whole or 2% reduced fat)
Dash ground nutmeg
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped green onion or chives (for garnish)

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.

2. In a 5-quart mixing bowl, combine the Parmigiano Reggiano, Cheddar and Gruyère cheeses. Reserve 1 cup for the topping.

3. In a 5-quart saucepot, bring 4 quarts water to a boil.

4. Stir in the pasta, 1 teaspoon of the salt and cook, uncovered, on medium heat 8 to 9 minutes or until pasta is “al dente” (crunchy tender) – do not overcook.

5. While pasta cooks, melt butter in an 8-quart saucepot on medium-high heat. Immediately stir in the onion and jalapeño pepper and set heat on medium.

6. When onion is translucent, quickly whisk in the flour followed by the cream and milk.

7. Bring cream-milk mixture to a simmer, about 1 minute.

8. After 1 minute, whisk in the cheese mixture (minus the reserved portion), the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, nutmeg and black pepper.

9. Using a wooden spoon, stir the cream-cheese mixture until it comes to a simmer.

10. When cream-cheese mixture comes to a simmer, gently fold in the cooked and drained pasta to combine.

11. Carefully transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a buttered 10 X 13-inch baking dish – sprinkle top evenly with reserved cheese.

12. Place baking dish with macaroni and cheese on a rack set in center of oven and bake 20 minutes.

13. After 20 minutes, change oven setting to “broil”.

14. Broil top of macaroni and cheese for 5 minutes or until the Hot Mac N’ Cheese is golden brown.

Serve immediately, garnished with green onion or chives.

Wine pairing suggestion: chilled Pinot Grigio, Bordeaux (whites); or Malbec, Bordeaux.

Note: If the cheddar cheese flavor is too strong for you, replace it with 1/2 cup Gruyère or Mozzarella cheese.

Pasta in photo: DeCecco® Rotelle (Italian for “wheels”).

Text and Photographs ©2011 Nancy DeLucia Real