Agnello Al Forno Recipes

AGNELLO AL FORNO

Steps:

• Layer onions, garlic, and potatoes in the slow cooker.
• In a skillet over med-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon oil until very hot; add half the meat and cook until browned on all sides (4-5 minutes); transfer to the cooker.
• Repeat with the remaining oil and meat.
• Add half of the herbs and all of the pepper to the cooker; season to taste with salt.
• Top with the tomatoes and dot with butter.
• Cover and cook on LOW until the lamb is fork-tender, 8-10 hours.
• An hour before the end of cooking time, sprinkle the remaining herbs on top of the meat and vegetables; serve with rice and green salad.

AGNELLO AL FORNO ITALIANI (ITALIAN OVEN-BAKED LAMB CHOPS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Brush the lamb with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add one of the lamb racks, fat-side down; brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a roasting pan. Repeat with remaining rack. Reserve skillet with pan juices.
• Roast lamb until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of the lamb and not touching bone registers 125F to 130F for medium-rare, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Add the remaining tablespoon oil to the skillet with pan juices and heat over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper, scallion whites, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes.
• Add the broth, bring to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat, stir in the scallion greens and marjoram, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cover to keep warm.
• Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice into individual chops and serve with the vegetables and pan juices.

RIGATONI AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°; bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat; cook the pasta 10-12 minutes or until al dente; drain pasta and place in a mixing bowl.
• While the pasta is cooking, in a shallow pot or skillet (stainless steel is recommended) over med-high heat, combine the cream and milk; bring to a simmer.
• Add in the garlic; stir in the Gorgonzola Dolce; when the cheese has melted, add all but 1 tablespoon of the Grana Padano, decrease the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, 10-12 minutes or until the sauce is moderately thick and creamy.
• Remove from heat and add in the oregano and pepper.
• Pour the cream sauce over the pasta; add the mozzarella and Fontina Val d'Aosta and mix well.
• The mixture should be moist and creamy; if it is too dry, add a little more milk or cream.
• Brush the bottom and sides of a 13x9 inch baking dish (preferably terra-cotta) with olive oil and pour in the pasta (which should almost entirely fill the baking dish).
• Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and the remaining Grana Padano.
• Bake on the middle shelf for 20-25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown and crisp.

RIGATONI AND CAULIFLOWER AL FORNO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower in half from top to bottom. Cut out tough core and stem any extraneous leaves. Lay cauliflower flat side down and cut crosswise into rough 1/4-inch slices. Break into smaller pieces.
• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add cauliflower slices, along with any crumbly pieces, in one layer. (Work in batches if necessary.) Let cauliflower brown and caramelize for about 2 minutes, then turn pieces over to brown the other side. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork. It's fine if some pieces don't brown evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add capers, garlic, red pepper flakes, chopped sage, sage leaves and lemon zest and stir to coat.
• Put cooked cauliflower mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked rigatoni and fontina and toss. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled baking dish. Top with Romano cheese, then with bread crumbs and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. (Dish may be completed to this point up to several hours in advance and kept at room temperature, covered.).
• Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until top is crisp and golden. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.