Pasta

I've loved pasta for as long as I can remember. If you do, too, here are six yummy pasta recipes to help you through the day, including Spinach, Peppers and Cherry Tomatoes with Penne Rigate and Vegan Lemon and Asparagus Pasta. Enjoy!

ROSCIOLI ROMAN CACIO E PEPE

This is from Salumeria Roscioli, and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Julia wrote, "The Roscioli family has built its own culinary empire in Rome since the 1960s, including bread bakeries, a pastry shop, a wine bar and a salumeria that moonlights as a restaurant. It’s a straight-from-the-airport destination for many American chefs, who go to taste the best food and wine from all over Italy, plus perfected Roman classics like cacio e pepe. The Roscioli method involves making a “crema” of cheese, pepper and water in advance. (It can also be refrigerated for later use.) The cheese needs to be grated until fine and feathery, so that it will melt quickly, and the hot pasta water must be added slowly. Unlike many recipes, the pasta here should be fully cooked, not al dente; it won’t cook any further once it’s added to the cheese."

Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

This was featured in "A Culinary Roman Empire’s Next Conquest? Manhattan." It can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024332-roscioli-roman-cacio-e-pepe.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns

7-1/2 ounces/4-1/2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving

3-1/3ounces/1-1/3 cups finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1 pound dried tonnarelli, spaghetti (regular or thick) or long fusilli

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. (Do not add salt.)

Meanwhile, in a very large nonstick skillet or pot set over high heat, toast the peppercorns just until fragrant. Let cool, then grind or crush very coarsely. Reserve 1 teaspoon for serving.

In the same skillet or pot, combine the cheeses and remaining pepper. Add 1-1/2 cups warm water and stir to make a thick pecorino cream.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and stir. Keep the heat very high until the water returns to a boil, then stir again and adjust the heat as needed to keep the water bubbling. Set a timer for 8 minutes.

Set the pecorino cream over very low heat. When the timer goes off, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Taste the pasta and continue cooking until the pasta is done to your liking. Drain pasta very well (this is important, as adding too much hot water can cause the cheese to clump) and add to the pecorino cream.

Use tongs or two forks to stir, turn and toss the pasta in the sauce over low heat until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes sticky. Don’t add any water yet, just keep tossing. To test, squeeze a drop of sauce between your thumb and finger. When the sauce is thick and forms strings like glue, it is ready. If it starts to dry out, add cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and toss thoroughly before adding more.

Divide among 4 bowls, twisting the pasta into a nest, if desired. Dust with additional pecorino and the reserved pepper. Serve immediately.

CARAMELIZED CORN AND ASPARAGUS PASTA WITH RICOTTA

This is from Alexa Weibel in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Alexa wrote, "This summery pasta features caramelized corn, crisp-tender asparagus and earthy turmeric, which provides the dish’s sunny hue. It’s not easy to cook corn to the point of browning without losing all its moisture, but a pinch of sugar helps speed up the caramelization process. Vermouth lends acidity to the light, glossy garlicky sauce, but you could use wine, or even a tablespoon of lemon juice or champagne vinegar for lift. Fresh ricotta provides richness."

Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021161-caramelized-corn-and-asparagus-pasta-with-ricotta.

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper

3 ears of corn, husked

1 pound spaghetti, linguine or any shaped pasta

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

16 medium stalks asparagus (about 8 ounces), trimmed and thinly sliced on an angle (about 2 cups)

3 scallions, trimmed and minced, or 1 small shallot, minced

2 teaspoons ground turmeric

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup vermouth or white wine

1 cup fresh ricotta, seasoned to taste with salt

1 lemon (optional)

Preparation

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Meanwhile, prepare the corn: Slice the corn kernels off the cobs, and add the cobs to the pot of water. (This lends a hint of sweetness.)

Once the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook over medium-high, according to package instructions, until tender but toothsome, just shy of al dente.

In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the corn kernels and sugar, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to caramelize, about 6 minutes. Stir in the asparagus, scallions and 1 teaspoon turmeric, and cook, stirring frequently, until just softened and corn is caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Once the pasta is just short of al dente, reserve 1-1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta, and discard the corn cobs.

Add the butter, garlic and remaining turmeric to the large skillet and cook over medium until butter melts and starts to foam, about 3 minutes. Whisk in vermouth to deglaze, and cook 1 to 2 minutes, then whisk in 1 cup pasta water.

Add the pasta, and toss with tongs over medium heat until thoroughly coated and al dente, 1 to 2 minutes, adding pasta water as needed. Remove from heat, stir in half the corn mixture and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Divide pasta among plates. Dollop with ricotta and top with remaining corn mixture. Drizzle with olive oil. If using lemon, shower the pasta with lemon zest, then cut the lemon into quarters, for squeezing on top, and serve immediately.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA

I had something similar to this at a local Italian restaurant several times, and decided to try making it. A hint for making this: wait until all the veggies have been cut up, then start the water boiling for the angel hair pasta. The veggies should be cooked for 2-4 minutes, and the pasta cooked for 2 minutes before the pasta is drained and then allowed to finish cooking for another 2 minutes with the veggies. Timing is important - unless you like disgustingly soggy pasta.

Note: This recipe is from my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.

Ingredients

1/2 C water

2 T balsamic vinegar

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 red pepper, diced

1/2green pepper, diced

1 T oregano

1 lb. angel hair pasta

Directions

Cut up veggies while heating the pasta water. DO NOT PUT PASTA INTO WATER UNTIL THE VEGGIES BEGIN COOKING. (There. I said it.) In veggie pot, heat 1/2 C water & balsamic vinegar until it begins to bubble; add onion, garlic, pepper & oregano and stir once or twice. NOW ADD PASTA TO POT OF BOILING PASTA WATER. (Boy, what a bossy broad.) Simmer veggies on low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes, covered. Cook pasta for only 2 minutes, then drain in colander. As soon as pasta is drained, remove cover from veggies, dump pasta into veggie pot, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from heat. DIG IN!!! (Now, isn’t that good?)

MUSHROOM BOLOGNESE WITH FETTUCCINE

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "A lighter take on the classic Italian sauce, this vegetarian bolognese is packed with mushrooms and vegetables in a rich tomato base. Served with fettuccine, you’ll have a hearty dinner for just 300 calories."

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup diced onions

1/2 cup diced carrot

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

4 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 packages (8 oz each) baby bella mushrooms, coarsely chopped

2 packages (8 oz each) white button mushrooms, coarsely chopped

1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic crushed tomatoes with basil, undrained

1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato sauce

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon soy sauce

12 oz uncooked fettuccine (from 16-oz box)

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, if desired

Directions

In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook onions, carrots, celery, garlic and salt in oil 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Remove vegetable mixture from Dutch oven to small bowl.

In same Dutch oven, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 14 to 19 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and liquid has evaporated.

Stir in vegetable mixture, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, thyme, oregano and red pepper flakes; heat to simmering; reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is starting to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in soy sauce.

Meanwhile, cook fettuccine as directed on package; drain. Serve fettuccine with sauce. Garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese and basil.

Expert Tips

Prefer a creamier sauce? If desired, stir in 1/3 cup half-and-half or heavy whipping cream after removing sauce from heat.

Cooked fettuccine may be stirred into the bolognese or topped with sauce, based on your preference.

SPINACH, PEPPERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PENNE RIGATE

This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 28). It begins, "Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach add bright color, flavor, and body to this Mediterranean-style dish." Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/spinach-peppers-and-cherry-tomatoes-with-penne-rigate/.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (6 oz.)

1 Tbs. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, and sliced

10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)

4 cups packed baby spinach leaves (8 oz.)

1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives

1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano

1-1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently, or until lightly browned.

Increase heat to high. Add roasted peppers, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes, spinach, olives, oregano, lemon zest, and pepper. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts, stirring frequently. Add pasta and reserved pasta-cooking water; cover, and cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through.

VEGAN LEMON AND ASPARAGUS PASTA

This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "This asparagus pasta recipe serves up spring asparagus two ways: blended into a smooth sauce that’s tossed with fettuccine, and sautéed in bite-size pieces that get stirred into the dish just before serving. It’s an easy and crowd-pleasing way to bring the brightness of lemon and fresh, green asparagus to your table." Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/vegan-asparagus-pasta-with-lemon/.

Ingredients

5 Tbs. olive oil, divided

5 cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbs.)

2 lb. asparagus, trimmed and sliced diagonally into 1-inch lengths

3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

8 oz. fettuccine

1 Tbs. grated lemon zest

Preparation

Heat 2 Tbs. oil in skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 2 minutes, or until golden. Stir in asparagus, and season with salt, if desired. Sauté 2 minutes, then cover skillet, and cook 5 minutes, or until asparagus is bright green and just tender. Transfer half of asparagus to plate, and set aside.

Cook remaining asparagus 1 minute more, then transfer to bowl of food processor. Add lemon juice, pepper, and remaining 3 Tbs. oil, and blend until sauce is smooth.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot, and toss with asparagus sauce, reserved cooking water, and lemon zest. Stir in reserved asparagus, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.