Cavatelli With Arugula And Tomatoes Recipes

CAVATELLI WITH GORGONZOLA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli and cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water, then drain well.
• Meanwhile, add the pancetta and olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the pancetta is crispy, about 8 minutes. Add the shallots and cook another minute until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and season with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the cavatelli to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Scatter the Gorgonzola over the pasta and stir to combine. Continue to stir, adding pasta water as needed, until a light creamy sauce is formed. Add the spinach and toss to combine. Cook for another minute, until the spinach is just barely wilted. Serve hot.

HOMEMADE CAVATELLI 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. If you are using the cavatelli within a few hours or the following day, wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
• Work with one portion of the 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. Press and gently drag the small piece of dough towards you with your index and middle finger. The two sides will curl inwards, leaving hollow spaces.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer cavatelli to a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap cavatelli or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.

CAVATELLI WITH BACON AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• In a large stainless-steel frying pan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until almost crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan.
• Reduce the heat to moderately low. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes with their juice, the salt, and the pepper and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
• In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the cavatelli until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain and toss with the sauce, bacon, arugula, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Stir until the arugula just wilts. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the top.

HOMEMADE CAVATELLI

Steps:

• Mix together flours and salt on a clean surface, make a well in center, and gradually add 1/2 cup water and oil, working flours into center until a dough forms. (If dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.) Knead dough until smooth and it springs back when gently pressed, about 5 minutes. Wrap in plastic.
• Sprinkle 2 rimmed baking sheets with semolina flour. Divide dough into 8 pieces; keep covered with plastic wrap. Roll one piece at a time into a long rope, about 1/3 inch in diameter, then cut rope into 1/3-inch-long pieces. Using tips of index and middle fingers, firmly press each piece and pull dough toward you so it lengthens slightly and forms a curl in the middle. Transfer pieces to baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Cavatelli can be refrigerated, covered, up to 4 hours. (Or freeze on sheet; once firm, transfer to a resealable bag and freeze up to 3 months. There's no need to thaw before cooking.)

CAVATELLI WITH ARUGULA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, or, if using plum tomatoes, cut them into 1/2-inch chunks, to have 3 cups of cut-up fresh tomato.
• Start heating 6 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon of salt in a large pot.
• In the big skillet, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil, sliced garlic, and peperoncino over medium-high heat, stirring, until the garlic is sizzling and starting to color. Pour in the cut tomatoes, season with a teaspoon salt, and bring to a bubbling simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, about 3 or 4 minutes, just until the tomatoes have softened a bit and the juices are slightly thickened. Turn off the heat.
• When the pasta water is boiling, stir in the cavatelli or other pasta. Return to the boil, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes (or 6 minutes less than time indicated on the package), then drop all the arugula into the pot. Stir well, cover, and bring the water back to the boil rapidly. Cook pasta and arugula together for 5 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly al dente.
• Meanwhile, bring the cut tomatoes in the skillet back to a simmer. Lift out the pasta and cooked greens with a spider, drain for a moment, then drop into the skillet. Cook over high heat, tossing continuously, until the pan juices have thickened and nicely coat the pasta. Turn off the heat, sprinkle the grated cheese over the pasta, and toss. Drizzle on more olive oil, toss, and serve immediately in warm bowls.