Orecchiettewithartichokeheartsmushroomsandpeppers Recipes

MOMMA'S ARTICHOKE HEARTS AND MUSHROOM BAKE

Steps:

• Drain artichoke liquid and slice hearts in quarters.
• Clean and slice mushrooms.
• Place 1 tablespoon of olive oil at the bottom of a covered casserole dish.
• Arrange the artichoke hearts on the bottom and top with a layer of sliced mushrooms.
• Sprinkle with salt & pepper.
• Top with 1/4 of the breadcrumbs.
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto the breadcrumbs and repeat the layers again.
• Finish the top layer of breadcrumbs with the remaining oil and top with parmesan cheese.
• Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
• Remove the cover and brown the top until golden in color and serve.

ORECCHIETTE WITH MUSHROOMS & ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• While pasta is cooking, heat oil in saute pan.
• Saute garlic and peppers for 2 minutes.
• Stir in mushrooms and cook until tender.
• Add artichoke hearts and parsley and cook until heated through.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon vegetable mixture over drained pasta and toss.
• Spoon onto platter and sprinkle with cheese and nuts.
• Serve with meat of your choice, warm bread or rolls and a simple salad of tomatoes with onions or make it a "meatless" meal.

ORECCHIETTE WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the artichokes and season with salt. Cook, turning halfway through, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic and beans to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta and the reserved cooking water to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until the pasta is coated, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley, parmesan and artichokes; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle each serving with olive oil and top with more parmesan.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Clean the artichokes as described for fully edible artichokes, page 15, putting the pieces in water acidulated with the lemon juice as you go. When all the artichokes are cleaned, drain them thoroughly and slice them very thin.
• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Scatter the garlic over the oil and cook, shaking the pan, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the artichokes and crushed red pepper and season lightly with salt. Stir well to coat the artichokes with oil, and cook, stirring often, until the artichokes are softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour in 1 cup of the chicken stock, add the mint and parsley, and lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer. Cook until the artichokes are very tender and the liquid is reduced by about half, about 10 minutes more. Add the remaining stock as necessary to keep the artichokes moist as they cook.
• Stir the orecchiette into the boiling water. Return to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, 8 to 10 minutes.
• If the skillet is large enough to accommodate the sauce and pasta, fish the pasta out of the boiling water with a large wire skimmer and drop it directly into the sauce in the skillet. If not, drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and pour in the sauce. Bring the sauce and pasta to a boil, stirring to coat the pasta with sauce. Check the seasoning, adding salt if necessary. Pour in a drizzle of olive oil, if you like. Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle the grated cheese over the pasta, and toss to mix. Serve immediately in warm bowls.

ORECCHIETTE PASTA SALAD WITH ARTICHOKES AND GRILLED VEGGIES

Steps:

• Thinly slice the onion, red pepper, zucchini and mushrooms. Heat olive oiI in a large saute pan -- add onions, cooking until softened, then add garlic, red pepper, mushrooms and zucchini -- continue to cook until lightly coloured.
• Drain and quarter the artichoke hearts.
• Stir the grilled veggies and the remaining ingredients (except tomatoes and additional dressing) into the cold cooked pasta -- mix well.
• Place into a container with a lid and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
• When ready to serve, refresh with additional 1/4 cup of salad dressing and garnish with quartered cherry tomatoes.
• Notes:
• The salad dressing is the most recognizable flavour so make sure you're confident with the taste -- you can make your own with a light tasting olive oil, lemon juice (or white balsamic), dijon mustard and your choice of herbs, but I find Kraft's Classic Herb is perfect for pasta salads.
• As I cook with cheeses so frequently, I stock my fridge/freezer with one-cup baggies filled with a blend of shredded imported Italian white cheeses (asiago, provolone, pecorino romano and parmegiana reggiano). You can easily substitute crumbled feta, but it will completely change the flavour. Also, as these cheeses are quite salty, I rarely add table salt to my recipes.