Pasta Maria Recipes

PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.

PASTA MARIA

Steps:

• bring water and 3 tbsp. salt to a boil and add pasta----- in a non stick saute pan heat 2 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter over med heat----cut chicken into 1" strips, coat in flour and essence then lightly saute each side--- remove chicken, add remainder of olive oil and butter to pan--- saute onion and pepper until they slightly soften, about 3-4 minutes----add thyme, parsley and wine--- reduce by 1/2 then add chicken stock--cook down for 1 minute and add chicken back to pan--- cook dowmn for 3-5 minutes and bring finshed, drained pasta to the pan--- top off with swirl of extra virgin olive oil--------

SPAGHETTI MARINARA

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the garlic is golden around the edges, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, oregano and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is soft but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices and 1/2 cup water; continue cooking until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 20 minutes. Stir in the basil and season with salt. Keep warm over low heat.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Add the pasta to the sauce along with the butter and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Increase the heat to medium and toss to coat, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce. Transfer the pasta to bowls and drizzle with olive oil.

MARIA'S TOMATO-BASIL SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• Puree tomatoes in a food processor until smooth; strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Stir strained tomatoes, onion, Parmesan cheese, basil, garlic, and red wine together in the pot with the oil; season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until thickened, about 25 minutes.

PASTA TUTTO MARE

Steps:

• Assemble all ingredients in sauce pan.
• Stir over low heat until thickened.
• Stir in 1/2°C parmesan cheese, cavatelli noodles, shrimp and crab meat. Stir until shrimp and crab meat are warm.
• Serve in large pasta bowl, with 1 tablespoons crushed graham crackers on top.

PASTA ALLA NORMA

Steps:

• Slice the eggplant about 1/2 inch thick. Cook in abundant olive oil, without crowding, sprinkling with salt and adding more oil as needed. You will undoubtedly have to cook in batches; take your time and cook until the eggplant is nicely browned and soft. Remove to a plate; do not drain on paper towels. Meanwhile, put a large pot of water to boil and salt it.
• At the end of the cooking the eggplant, the pan will ideally have a couple of tablespoons of oil left. If there's more or less, drain some off or add a bit. Turn the heat to medium, add the garlic and chiles, and cook until the garlic colors a little bit. Add the tomatoes and oregano, along with some salt and pepper; cook until saucy but not too dry, stirring occasionally.
• Cook the pasta until tender but not mushy. While it's cooking, cut the eggplant into strips and reheat for a minute in the tomato sauce. Drain the pasta and toss it with the tomato sauce and the eggplant. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then top with the parsley or basil and grated cheese and serve.