Best Orecchiette With Purple Sprouting Broccoli Calabrian Pesto Recipes

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Set up a bowl of well-salted ice water. Cook the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and then immediately plunge in the salted ice water. This will prevent the broccoli rabe from being overcooked and will set the lovely green color.
• Drain the broccoli rabe and squeeze out any excess water; coarsely chop. Place the broccoli rabe in the bowl of a food processor and puree until it is a coarse paste. Add the pistachios and parmigiano and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning; you probably will need more salt. Add the ricotta and pulse until combined. Taste for seasoning once again-it should be full-flavored, slightly bitter and creamy at the same time. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. (If you are making the pasta right after the pesto, just use the broccoli rabe blanching water.) Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the cooking time on the package.
• While the pasta is cooking, place the pesto in a large skillet and add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water; place over medium-high heat. When the pasta is ready, drain and add to the skillet with the pesto. Stir vigorously to combine and cook until the sauce is creamy and heated through, 1 to 2 minutes; add salt to taste. Remove from the heat, add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, if desired, and stir vigorously. Garnish with more parmigiano. Voila!

HOMEMADE ORECCHIETTE PASTA

Steps:

• Mix semolina flour and salt in a large bowl or on a marble work surface. Make a well in the center.
• Pour water into the well a little at a time, mixing it with the flour. Add as much water as needed to make a sticky but compact dough.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is elastic and smooth, but not too soft, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
• Work with one portion of dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered to keep it from drying out. Dust a work surface with semolina flour; roll out the dough to make a rope, about 1/3 inch thick.
• Cut off little 1/3-inch thick pieces. Pick up knife with a rounded tip. Carefully hold one side of the dough with your index finger. Hold the knife in your other hand. Gently drag the small piece of dough towards you. Lift up the knife by the end in such a way that you get a thicker edge. You'll obtain a small disk of dough, thinner in the centre. Press the disk gently against your thumb and it will curve.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer orecchiette onto a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap orecchiette or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.

ORECCHIETTE PASTA CARLUCCIO'S WAY

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 5 to 6 quarts (20 to 24 cups) of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Prepare an ice water bath. Blanch the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and keep it nice and green. When cooled, drain the broccoli rabe and pat dry.
• Return the same water to a boil and salt again. Cook the orecchiette in the boiling water according to the package instructions, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water before draining it.
• While the pasta is cooking, add the extra-virgin olive oil to a large skillet and heat. Add the crumbled sausage, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cannellini beans and broccoli rabe and continue to cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and cook until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Drain the cooked pasta, add it to the skillet with the other ingredients and let the flavors come together by cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes. Moisten with some of the reserved pasta water if needed. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and freshly ground pepper to taste.

ORECCHIETTE WITH ANCHOVIES & PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Cook the orecchiette following pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp of the olive oil and 1 tbsp of the oil from the anchovies in a frying pan. Add the garlic and chilli, and sizzle for 3-4 mins until the garlic is just starting to turn golden. Add the anchovies and lemon juice, and cook for 1-2 mins more until the anchovies melt into the sauce. Put the remaining olive oil, breadcrumbs and lemon zest in another frying pan, stir together and cook until crisp.
• When the pasta has 4-5 mins to go, add the broccoli to the pan. When cooked, drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, then add to the frying pan with the garlic and anchovies. Stir and cook over a low heat for a further 2 mins, adding a splash of pasta water if it looks dry. Season, then serve in pasta bowls with the lemony crumbs sprinkled over the top.

STEP-BY-STEP ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Mound semolina and all-purpose flours and salt in 3 separate piles on a large, clean work surface.
• Using your fingers, swirl ingredients together until combined.
• Gather flour mixture into a pile, and create a well in center. Pour 1/2 cup water into well.
• Gradually incorporate flour mixture into water using your fingers.
• Once all the water is absorbed, continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture begins to form a dough.
• Start to gather and knead dough, working it until no dry flour remains on work surface.
• Continue to knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Divide dough into 16 equal portions, and cover them with a clean, damp kitchen towel.
• Roll 1 portion of dough into an 18-inch-long rope.
• Use a knife to cut and drag a 1/3-inch piece of dough from end of rope facing you -- a grainy wooden cutting board helps grip the dough.
• Holding knife at a 45-degree angle to work surface, press and roll dough toward you.
• Unfurl each piece of dough over your thumb in the opposite direction to form a concave shape, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lightly sprinkled with semolina flour. Repeat with remaining dough. Orecchiette can be stored at room temperature in a single layer overnight; cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.