Pasta Nests Recipes

PASTA NESTS

Steps:

• Cook the spaghetti in boiling water for 8 - 10 mins so it still has some bite inches Drain and set aside.
• Mix the olive oil with the garlic.
• place the vegetables on a large tray and drizzle over the olive oil.
• Grill the veg for 10 mins until tender and lightly charred. Keep warm.
• divide the spaghetti among 4 greased tins. (I use a Yorkshire pudding pan) Curl round a fork to form nest shapes and brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
• bake the pasta nests for 15 mins at 200C/400F.
• Place a pasta nest on a serving plate and to with the grilled vegetables.

SPAGHETTI NESTS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of four 4-inch-diameter springform pans.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Add the spinach, cheese, oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss well until the spinach is wilted. Set aside to cool.
• For assembly: Beat the Parmesan, milk, salt and egg together in a large bowl until smooth. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti mixture until well combined. Twirl 1/2 cupfuls of the spaghetti mixture around tongs or a large fork and transfer to the prepared pans. Make an indentation in the middle of each nest of pasta and drizzle with olive oil. Bake 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before removing the sides from the pans. Remove the bottoms of the pans from the nests using a thin metal spatula.
• Spoon 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce on each of 4 serving plates. Place the spaghetti nests on the sauce. Place 3 balls of the mozzarella in each nest and serve.

TOMATO BASIL PASTA NESTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt the water and cook the pasta al dente, with a bite to it.
• While the water is heating, begin the sauce by heating a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic, and onions. Saute for 8 to 10 minutes; reduce the heat a bit if the onions begin to brown. You want them to become sweet and soft, but not to caramelize.
• Stir in the tomatoes and heat through. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Wilt in the basil and turn off the heat. Stir in pesto sauce.
• Drain the pasta and add to the sauce. Toss in the pan to distribute. Sprinkle in the cheese, tossing to combine (or leave out and serve at table). Grab a meat fork. Stick the fork into the pasta and bring up a heaping forkful. Turn and twist the pasta, using your palm to guide the pasta a bit, to form a nest. Serve! Makes 8 nests, 4 inches wide and 5-6 inches long.
• For Vegan omit the cheese or use a Vegan Cheese sub.

PASTA TONNATO NESTS

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, about 2 minutes for fresh and 10 minutes for dried. Drain pasta. Return to same pot and toss with oil.
• Combine sauce and wine in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Mix in tuna and olives, being careful to keep tuna in fairly large pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide pasta between 2 plates. Using large spoon, make indentation in centers of pasta to create "nests." Spoon sauce into centers. Sprinkle each with basil.