Pasta Gratin With Four Cheeses And Oven Roasted Tomatoes Recipes

PASTA WITH FOUR CHEESES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add noodles and cook until done about 6 to 7 minutes or according to package directions. Meanwhile, finely dice your cheddar and brie into 1/4-inch cubes. Combine the cheeses with the white wine and ricotta in the top of a double boiler or in a microwave proof container that is large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. If you are using a double boiler, melt the cheese while the pasta is cooking, if you are using a microwave you can wait until the pasta is done. When the pasta is done, drain, pat dry, and toss it with the melted cheese. Or is you are using a microwave oven, heat the cheese for 1 minute. Whisk it vigorously and return it to the microwave for 20 seconds. Add the drained pasta to the melted cheese, right in the microwave dish, and toss. Season with lots of freshly ground pepper and scallion.

LA ROMANA TOMATOES GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place tomato halves on foil lined baking sheet and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, and shredded Parmesan.
• Season tomato halves with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spoon the butter and cheese mixture over the tomatoes. Roast tomatoes in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

PASTA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 475 degrees F. Quarter the tomatoes, then scoop the seeds and pulp into a sieve set over a bowl (reserve the tomatoes). Press on the seeds and pulp to extract the juice (you should have about 1/2 cup). Chop the tomatoes and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Toss the zucchini with 3 tablespoons olive oil on a separate baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until tender and browned in spots, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta as the label directs; reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add the cherry peppers; cook 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste, then the reserved tomato juice and 1/2 cup cooking water. Bring to a boil; simmer until reduced by half, 5 minutes. Add the pasta, vegetables, basil and parmesan to the skillet; season with salt. Cook, tossing, 1 minute, adding more of the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen.

BAKED FOUR-CHEESE PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• For the topping:.
• Pulse bread in food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about ten 1-second pulses (you should have about 1 1/2 cups).
• Transfer to small bowl; stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
• Set mixture aside.
• For the pasta:.
• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees.
• Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot.
• Combine cheeses in large bowl; set aside.
• Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water; stir to separate pasta.
• While pasta is cooking, melt butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat; whisk flour into butter until no lumps remain, about 30 seconds.
• Gradually whisk in cream, add tomatoes, and increase heat to medium, and bring to boil, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute to ensure that flour cooks.
• Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; cover cream mixture to keep hot and set aside.
• When pasta is very al dente (when bitten into, pasta should be opaque and slightly underdone at very center), drain about 5 seconds, leaving pasta slightly wet.
• Add pasta to bowl with cheeses; immediately pour cream mixture over, then cover bowl with foil or large plate and let stand 3 minutes.
• Uncover bowl and stir with rubber spatula, scraping bottom of bowl, until cheeses are melted and mixture is thoroughly combined. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.
• Transfer pasta to 13 by 9-inch baking dish, then sprinkle evenly with reserved bread crumbs, pressing down lightly.
• Bake until topping is golden brown, about 7 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

PENNE WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line bottom of casserole dish with cherry tomatoes in a single layer, halved side up. Pour oil on top, season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top. Bake until tomatoes have wilted, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with enough sea salt so that water tastes mildly of salt. When tomatoes are just about done, add penne to water and cook until al dente (it should be pliable, but still firm in center). Scoop out about a cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain pasta and add to casserole. Fold tomatoes and pasta together, adding another 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it is dry, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve, passing more grated cheese at the table.