Cavatelli With Bacon And Arugula 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.

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.