Pasta Pascal Recipes

PASKA EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 cup warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add remaining water. Beat in the milk powder and 5 cups flour until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Add eggs, butter, salt and remaining sugar; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half and set 1 portion aside. Divide remaining portion in half; press each portion into a well-greased 10-in. springform pan. Divide reserved dough into 6 balls. Shape each ball into a 30-in. rope; make 2 braids of 3 ropes each. Place a braid around the edge of each pan, forming a circle. Trim ends of braids, reserving dough scraps. Pinch ends of braids to seal. Shape scraps into 2 long thin ropes; form into rosettes or crosses. Place 1 decoration on the center of each loaf. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. , In a small bowl, beat egg and water; brush over dough. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

PASTA PASCAL

Steps:

• In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, saute garlic in oil 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in onion and cook 2 minutes more.
• Stir in oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Reduce heat to medium-low heat and let simmer.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Toss hot pasta with tomato mixture; serve immediately.

CREAMY PANCETTA PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to the boil and cook the pappardelle according to the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, put a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pancetta until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the cream. When the cream is hot, add the Parmesan and stir.
• Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Stir well and season with some pepper. I find it does not usually need salt because of the salty pancetta and Parmesan. Serve immediately. I like to serve it with an arugula salad.

SPAGHETTI ALLA PUTTANESCA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Submerge the tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, remove the tomatoes.
• Peel the tomatoes and cut them open. Discard the seeds and cut the flesh into small cubes.
• In a large nonstick pan heat about 3 tablespoons olive oil and saute together the garlic, anchovies, olives, capers, and red pepper flakes for about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and let cook on a medium-low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti about 2 minutes less than indicated on the box, drain and add to the sauce pan on a medium high flame, toss around for a couple of minutes or less, making sure the sauce is evenly distributed on the pasta.
• Add a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley and a drizzle extra-virgin olive oil.

BAY SCALLOP PASTA WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 10 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water, and set aside.
• Wipe out the pot, and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add tomatoes, stirring occasionally, and cook until they start to burst, 5 to 7 minutes; crush some with the back of a spoon. Stir in white wine, olives, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops all at once, coating with oil; don't move or shake the pan for 1 minute. Gently flip the scallops, and cook until firm and opaque, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Do not overcook scallops.
• Add the pasta to the tomato mixture, toss to coat, and add reserved pasta water, if necessary. Divide the pasta mixture evenly among 4 shallow bowls and top with the scallops. Lightly drizzle with more olive oil, if desired, garnish with parsley, and serve.

PASTA PASCAL

Steps:

• In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, saute garlic in oil 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in onion and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Toss hot pasta with tomato mixture. Serve.