Caramelized Fennel Fettuccine With A Poached Egg Recipes

CANDY-FILLED CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG

Steps:

• Using a 2-pound plastic Easter egg chocolate candy mold as a guide, cut the cake to fit inside the base of the mold; set aside (discard the extra cake). Refrigerate the mold to chill, about 15 minutes.
• Put half the milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining chocolate and continue to stir until smooth; this will result in a tempered chocolate that will set hard. Transfer 3/4 cup of the chocolate to a small bowl; set aside.
• Swirl half the remaining chocolate inside the mold to coat completely. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Repeat with the other half of the chocolate, swirling to create a thick layer; refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Fill the egg with the candy. Top with the cake cutout and press down firmly so the cake is flush with the mold (trim away any extra cake with a serrated knife).
• Microwave the reserved chocolate to remelt if needed, then measure out 1/2 cup. Spread the chocolate over the cake with a spatula to cover completely. Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes.
• Invert the egg onto a serving platter or cake stand; remove the mold. Microwave the remaining chocolate to remelt if needed, then transfer to a piping bag with a small round tip. Use the chocolate to attach candies to the outside of the egg. Chill until ready to serve.
• Serve the egg with a big spoon or meat mallet and encourage guests to crack it open and watch the candy pour out.

PEPPERY PASTA CARBONARA WITH POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a 4-quart saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup cooking water, then transfer spaghetti with tongs to a small bowl, shaking off excess water, and keep pan of water simmering.
• Pour off all but 2 teaspoons bacon fat from skillet, then whisk butter into fat in skillet over medium heat. Add spaghetti, reserved cooking water, cheese, and a rounded 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened and almost completely absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Add bacon and 1 tablespoon tarragon and toss. Season with salt and pepper.
• Break egg into a cup and gently slide into water. Poach at a bare simmer to desired doneness (we prefer a firm white with a runny yolk, 2 to 3 minutes).
• Serve pasta topped with egg (transfer using a slotted spoon). Sprinkle with remaining tarragon if desired.

CARAMELIZED FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the fennel in boiling salted water for about 7 minutes, or until fork tender.
• Drain and arrange in one layer on a baking pan. Drizzle some extra-virgin olive oil on the fennel and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Sprinkle the cheese and bread crumbs on the fennel. Roast in the oven until golden brown, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS, BEET GREEN PESTO, AND POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium and toast walnuts, shaking pan often, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate or bowl and let cool; reserve skillet.
• Pulse cooled walnuts, beet greens, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, 2 tsp. lemon juice, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a food processor until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup oil until a thick sauce forms. Add 2/3 cup Parmesan and pulse until well combined. You should have about 1 1/2 cups pesto.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a very low simmer. The water should register 180°F on an instant-read thermometer. Set a large bowl of ice water near your work station. Crack eggs into 4 ramekins or small bowls. Transfer 1 egg to a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl to drain slightly (this will help remove extra egg whites and give the poached eggs a more compact shape). Carefully lower egg in strainer into hot water until egg is completely submerged. Gently shake strainer and carefully shape egg with a slotted spoon until edges of egg white start to turn opaque, 30-60 seconds. Carefully release egg from strainer into water with slotted spoon. Cook egg, turning and shaping occasionally with slotted spoon, until egg white is opaque and firm and yolk is plump and jiggles slightly to the touch, 3-3 1/2 minutes more. Transfer egg using a slotted spoon to the ice bath. As the first egg cooks, repeat steps to poach remaining 3 eggs, but keep an eye on which egg went in first. Use a timer to avoid overcooking.
• Bring the pot of water to a boil and cook fettuccine, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Using tongs or a spider, transfer pasta to a colander to drain. Reserve pasta cooking liquid in pot and set aside 1 cup liquid for the pasta sauce.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in reserved skillet over medium-high. Add asparagus and sauté until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup pesto and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid; gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Add fettuccine and simmer, tossing occasionally, until well combined. If sauce is too loose, continue to simmer; if it's too thick, add more pasta cooking liquid to loosen and stir vigorously to combine. Season with 1/2 tsp. salt, remaining 1 tsp. lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper.
• Meanwhile, return the pot of water to a very low simmer. Transfer eggs from ice bath to pot to reheat until warm, 30-60 seconds. Remove eggs using a slotted spoon and place on a plate rubbed with a little olive oil. Divide pasta among 4 plates and top with poached eggs and Parmesan.
• Do Ahead
• Pesto can be made and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

CARAMELIZED FENNEL AND ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high. Add fennel and onion, and season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover, add 1 tablespoon water, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and soft, 2 minutes.

CAVATELLI WITH SPINACH, CARAMELIZED FENNEL, AND FRIED EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle lemons and fennel with 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat, then spread in a single layer. Roast until caramelized and tender, flipping halfway through, about 25 minutes. Stir in spinach. Return to oven and roast until just wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook cavatelli in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to baking sheet with vegetables; toss to combine and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry eggs in batches until whites are set and yolks are still loose, about 4 minutes a batch. Season with salt and pepper.
• Top each serving of pasta with a fried egg and a sprinkle of Parmesan.