Orecchiette Pasta With Wisconsin Cheese Recipes

ORECCHIETTE PASTA CARLUCCIO'S WAY

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 5 to 6 quarts (20 to 24 cups) of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Prepare an ice water bath. Blanch the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and keep it nice and green. When cooled, drain the broccoli rabe and pat dry.
• Return the same water to a boil and salt again. Cook the orecchiette in the boiling water according to the package instructions, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water before draining it.
• While the pasta is cooking, add the extra-virgin olive oil to a large skillet and heat. Add the crumbled sausage, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cannellini beans and broccoli rabe and continue to cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and cook until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Drain the cooked pasta, add it to the skillet with the other ingredients and let the flavors come together by cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes. Moisten with some of the reserved pasta water if needed. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and freshly ground pepper to taste.

ORECCHIETTE PASTA WITH WISCONSIN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Heat up a good load of boiling water Place asparagus in a shallow dish or pan and cover with boiling water.
• Cover it and let it sit 3-5 minutes.
• Drain and cool.
• Cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces.
• Sauté shallots (or green onions)and garlic in olive oil until translucent in a large saucepan or deep skillet.
• Add tomatoes and sauté until they are soft and give out their juices.
• Add wine and chicken broth.
• Boil over a high heat until reduced by about 1/4.
• Add the asparagus pieces and boil for about 2 minutes or so.
• Add basil and mix it up.
• Add the freshly cooked pasta and stir to coat.
• Add the cheeses and toss to melt.
• Put in a lightly oiled baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
• *If you don't want to use wine, substitute with chicken broth.

ONE PAN ORECCHIETTE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft and golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir sausage into onions; cook and stir until sausage is broken up and browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Pour 1 1/2 cups chicken broth into sausage mixture and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add orecchiette pasta; cook and stir pasta in hot broth, adding remaining broth when liquid is absorbed, until pasta is cooked through and most of the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Stir arugula into pasta-sausage mixture until arugula wilts. Ladle pasta into bowls and dust with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

HOMEMADE ORECCHIETTE 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.
• Work with one portion of 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. Pick up knife with a rounded tip. Carefully hold one side of the dough with your index finger. Hold the knife in your other hand. Gently drag the small piece of dough towards you. Lift up the knife by the end in such a way that you get a thicker edge. You'll obtain a small disk of dough, thinner in the centre. Press the disk gently against your thumb and it will curve.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer orecchiette onto a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap orecchiette or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.