Pasta Priscilla 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 PRISCILLA

Steps:

• Prepare pasta and set aside.
• In medium-hot saute pan, add the olive oil, chopped garlic, and sliced mushrooms. Saute until garlic starts to turn golden brown, then add white wine and reduce the liquid in pan by half.
• Add the tomatoes and stock and let the flavor simmer for 3 minutes.
• Add butter, grilled chicken, baby spinach, and salt and pepper to taste. When the spinach has wilted and turned dark green toss the cooked fresh pasta with the sauce, adding the fresh basil.
• Pour pasta into a bowl and top with fresh Pecorino Romano cheese.

PRISCILLA'S CUT-OUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix butter, confectioners' sugar, egg, vanilla and almond extract thoroughly.
• Blend in flour, soda and cream of tartar.
• Cover and chill 2 to 3 hours.
• Heat oven to 375°; divide dough in half and roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured board.
• Cut into desired shapes. Decorate, if desired.
• Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7-8 minutes or until light brown on edge.
• If desired, frost when cooled.

EASY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 garlic clove, finely grated, 1 lb. summer squash and/or zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, ½ cup coarsely chopped banana peppers, 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl to combine. Using your hands, gently massage vegetables to soften slightly. Let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, 25 minutes.
• Cook 1 lb. orecchiette or other small pasta in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.
• Add pasta, 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup halved pitted Kalamata olives, ½ cup finely grated Parmesan, and ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil to vegetable mixture; toss well to combine. Add 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces, 1 cup (packed) coarsely chopped basil, and ½ cup finely chopped oregano and toss gently just to incorporate. Taste pasta salad and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Just before serving, top pasta salad with more Parmesan, basil, and oregano. Do ahead: Pasta salad (without toppings) can be made 5 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTA WITH PASILLA CHILES

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in large saucepan. Add chiles; cook 3 min. Remove chiles from water with slotted spoon; drain. Chop chiles; set aside. Add pasta to reserved boiling water; cook as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat. Add onions, garlic and wieners; cook and stir 3 min. or until onions are crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes, epazote leaves and chopped chiles; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta. Add to ingredients in saucepan; stir. Top with cheese.

PASTA ALLA GRICIA

Steps:

• Add the bacon to a large skillet. Place over medium heat and cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 20 minutes. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan. Stir in the pepper and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season it generously with salt. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions, about 8 minutes. Add 1 cup of the pasta water to the pan with the bacon, return the pan to medium-high heat and cook, scraping up the bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon, until slightly reduced, about 1 minute.
• Using tongs, remove the pasta from the water and add it directly to the pan with the sauce. Sprinkle the pasta with the cheese and begin to toss the pasta with the sauce. Continue to stir over low heat and toss until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta and the pasta is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. (Through this process, you may need to add more pasta water to help cook the pasta and maintain a sauce. This could take up to a cup more pasta water.) Serve topped with more cheese if desired.