Charred Rapini With Anchovies And Fresno Chiles Recipes

ORECCHIETTE WITH SHRIMP, PANCETTA AND FRESNO CHILES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water is thoroughly boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet or shallow Dutch oven over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and cook the pancetta to render the fat and crisp it, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off and discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from the skillet. Raise the heat to medium and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir quickly and often so the garlic does not burn, 2 minutes at the most. Stir in the shrimp and continue to cook until just barely pink, another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Fresno chiles, half of the lemon zest and the pancetta. The shrimp should be slightly undercooked.
• Drain the pasta directly into the skillet and stir everything together, letting the shrimp finish cooking and the pasta absorb some of the sauce. Add the remaining zest, 1 tablespoon butter and a drizzle of olive oil. Remove from heat and add the cheese and basil. Do not stir. Serve immediately, family-style.

RAPINI WITH GARLIC & CHILI FLAKES

Steps:

• Chop off bottom inch of stalks.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Add rapini.
• Return to boil and boil about two to three minutes or until crisp-tender.
• Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium high heat.
• Add garlic, pepper flakes and rapini.
• Toss together for a minute or two, reduce heat, cover pan and cook three minutes.
• Remove cover, season and serve.

SAUTéED GREENS WITH FRESNO CHILES

Steps:

• Tear the leaves from 1 small bunch each escarole, Swiss chard and Tuscan kale; chop the stems. Rinse and blot dry. Sauté the chopped stems, 3 smashed garlic cloves and 1 chopped seeded Fresno chile in 1/4 cup olive oil in a large pot over high heat until the garlic is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the leaves in two batches and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED BROCCOLI AND LEMON WITH CHILE AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a boil over medium-high. Keep a large bowl of ice water next to it. Meanwhile, trim the broccoli so 2 inches/5 centimeters of stalk remain attached. Cut the broccoli in half lengthwise, then cut each half lengthwise again to give you 4 wedges per head.
• Blanch the broccoli by adding it to the boiling water and cooking for 3½ minutes, until softened. The stalks should retain a nice bite. Use a pair of tongs to remove the wedges and plunge them straight into the ice water to stop them from cooking further. Once completely cool, drain and dry them well, then place in a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, add 6 tablespoons/89 milliliters of oil, the chiles and garlic to a small frying pan and place it over medium heat. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden and the chiles start to become transparent. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the solids to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside to cool and crisp further.
• Add the anchovies to the pan and place over low heat. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, until an anchovy is soft enough to be easily squashed with the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool completely.
• Place a large, well-greased grill pan over high heat and ventilate your kitchen well. (See Tip for outdoor grilling.) Toss the broccoli gently with 1½ teaspoons olive oil. Once the pan is very hot, grill the broccoli in 2 batches, turning so that all the flat sides have nice grill marks, 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a tray to cool down. Grill the lemon rounds for 1½ minutes per side, until nicely charred, then transfer to a chopping board. When cool enough to handle, finely chop the lemon (skin and all) and transfer to a small bowl along with the lemon juice, parsley and remaining 1½ teaspoons olive oil. Mix well and set aside.
• Once the broccoli has cooled, top with the anchovy oil mixture and toss gently to combine. Arrange on a large serving platter and top evenly with the charred lemon mixture. Lastly, sprinkle over the fried chile and garlic and the flaked salt.