Everyday Pasta (12 page)

4 to 6 servings

This is a typically Italian way of preparing chicken, but Italians rarely combine chicken with pasta; by serving chicken over wide ribbons of fettuccine I’ve created a hybrid Italian-American one-dish meal.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Keeping the same pan over medium heat, add the bell peppers and prosciutto and cook until the peppers have browned and the prosciutto is crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and their juice, wine, thyme, and oregano. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan, add the broth, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the fresh pasta, stir, and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Drain.

Remove the chicken and let it cool slightly on a cutting board. Using a fork and knife, gently shred the chicken. Return the chicken to the pan. Stir in the capers and parsley.

To serve, spoon the pasta into serving dishes and top with the chicken and sauce.

4 to 6 servings

The assertive flavor of Gorgonzola cheese gives the sauce for this dish a nice, sharp bite. This combination of flavors is very typical of northern Italian food, and it makes for a particularly earthy, satisfying dish. You can have fun with this recipe, varying the kinds of mushrooms you use; try to incorporate a few varieties. The frozen peas add a welcome pop of color.

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter starts to sizzle, add the flour and whisk until smooth and the flour loses its raw flavor, about 2 minutes. Carefully add the milk all at once and whisk until smooth. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat. Add the Gorgonzola and stir until melted. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until tender and golden, about 12 minutes. Stir in the peas. Season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking together, about 10 minutes. Drain. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Add the Gorgonzola sauce and mushroom mixture, and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

6 servings

I really prefer the texture of fresh pappardelle with the savory lamb stew; it just seems to absorb the flavors better. If you can’t find fresh pappardelle, though, the dried kind is perfectly acceptable, and it’s good to have on hand to toss with any leftover braised meats and their braising liquid for a quick, warming meal.

Sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper. Toss the lamb with the flour in a large bowl to coat. Heat the oil in a heavy, large pot over medium-high heat. Working in 2 or 3 batches, add the lamb to the pot and cook until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a bowl. Add the garlic to the same pot and sauté over medium heat until tender and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer over medium-high heat until reduced by half, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Return the lamb to the pot and stir in the broth, tomatoes with their juice, and tomato paste. Cover partially and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

While the stew simmers, cook the onions in a medium saucepan of boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and cool. Peel the onions and cut off the root ends. When the stew has cooked for 1 hour, add the onions and carrots. Simmer, uncovered, until the lamb and vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes longer. Season the stew with salt and pepper.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, stir, and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Drain the pasta and toss with the butter and Parmesan.

Spoon the stew over the pasta, and top with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

4 to 6 servings

Using cinnamon to flavor a beef dish may sound strange to anyone who is not familiar with the cuisine of southern Italy, where the Moorish influence is apparent in the seasonings of many dishes. I promise, though, the spice is a fantastic addition. The cinnamon gives the sauce a little sweetness and a little heat all in one without being spicy, per se. Try it.

To make the ravioli: Combine the ricotta, basil, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, pepper, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Place 8 to 10 wonton squares on a dry work surface. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture into the middle of each square. Dip a pastry brush in a bit of water and wet the square around the ricotta mixture. Place another square over the filling. Carefully smooth out all the air bubbles and press firmly around the ricotta mixture to create a seal. Use a 2¾-inch square cookie cutter or a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out a ravioli. Place the ravioli on a dry baking sheet and continue with another batch of ravioli. The mixture should make about 36 ravioli.

To make the beef ragù: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it is starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the carrot, onion, and garlic. Continue cooking to brown the onion and carrot, about 4 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, tomato paste, and red wine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan and dissolve the tomato paste. Continue cooking until the wine is almost completely evaporated. Add the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes over low heat.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the ravioli float, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the ravioli using a slotted spoon and place on individual plates, or a large serving platter, that have been drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. Spoon the beef ragù over the ravioli. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.