Cavatelli With Arugula Ricotta Salata Recipes

CAVATELLI WITH ARUGULA & RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, olives, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the cavatelli until al dente.
• Drain it well and return it to the pan.
• Add the arugula and the olive-oil mixture, folding gently until the ingredients are combined.
• Let sit until the arugula has wilted, about 3 minute.
• Sprinkle with the ricotta salata just before serving.

CAVATELLI WITH PEAS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain.
• Heat the olive oil, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water, 1 teaspoon pepper and the peas in the same pot over medium-high heat. Cook, shaking the pot occasionally, until the peas are tender and the butter melts, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Return the pasta to the pot along with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the parmesan and 3/4 cup cooking water. Stir until creamy, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen. Stir in the arugula, basil and mint. Divide among bowls.
• Mix the ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Dollop on each serving of pasta. Drizzle with olive oil and season with more pepper.

CAVATELLI WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Put the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Mix the ricotta and egg in a small bowl with a fork; add to the well. Using the fork and working your way around the well, gradually mix the flour into the ricotta mixture until the dough is crumbly. If the dough is too dry to come together, add up to 3 tablespoons water, a little at a time.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature, 30 minutes. (The dough can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; bring it to room temperature before rolling.)
• Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time (and keeping the other pieces wrapped), roll the dough on the counter with your hands into a 1/2-inch-thick log. With a knife or bench scraper, cut the log into 1/2-inch pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball. Flatten each ball of dough with your finger. Place the back of a butter knife on the flattened dough and gently pull it toward you so the dough curls around the knife. Repeat to form the remaining cavatelli; transfer to a floured baking sheet as you go.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Transfer the cavatelli to a colander and shake over the baking sheet to remove the excess flour. Add the cavatelli to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the asparagus and lemon zest and juice. Remove the cavatelli with a strainer or slotted spoon and add directly to the skillet along with 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Cook, stirring gently, until the pasta is coated and the asparagus is tender, 3 to 4 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the parmesan and parsley; serve with more parmesan.

CAVATAPPI WITH TOMATOES, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1/4 cup oil, and 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
• Cook cavatappi in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid, and add to tomato mixture. Stir vigorously and add pasta cooking liquid and oil as needed to fully coat. Stir in arugula and black pepper and season with salt.
• Transfer pasta to a serving bowl or platter and dollop with ricotta. Serve immediately.

TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND RICOTTA SALATA SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a blender blend together the garlic paste, the vinegars, and salt and pepper to taste, with the motor running add the oil in a stream, and blend the dressing until it is emulsified.
• Divide the arugula among 6 salad plates and arrange one sixth of the tomato slices on each plate. Divide the ricotta salata and the orégano among the plates. Drizzle each salad with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dressing.

CAVATELLI WITH ARUGULA AND TOMATO

Steps:

• 1 In a skillet large enough to hold all of the ingredients, cook the garlic in the oil over medium heat until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. 2 Bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pasta and salt to taste. Stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. 3 Stir the pasta into the tomato sauce with half of the cheese. Add the arugula and stir well. Add a little of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems too dry. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.