Pasta Verde Recipes

PASTA VERDE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook poblano peppers over a gas flame, turning periodically with tongs or a fork, until skin is charred on all sides, about 7 minutes. Seal peppers inside a plastic bag; allow peppers to steam as they cool, about 8 minutes. Remove and discard skins and seeds.
• Place peppers, sour cream, water, chopped cilantro, vegetable bouillon cubes, garlic, and black pepper in a blender; blend until creamy.
• Pour sauce into a large pot over low heat; bring to a boil. Drain spaghetti and add to the sauce. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese and cilantro leaves.

VERDE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the onions, garlic and lemon zest in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add half of the basil and parsley; cover and process until chopped. Add remaining basil and parsley; chop., Add the olives, capers, lemon juice, pepper flakes and cheese; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream.

PASTA VERDE

Steps:

• In large saucepan, cook orzo in salted water. Drain, reserving 1 1/4 cups water from cooked pasta.
• In large, deep nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, and cook 30 seconds more. Stir in peas, spinach, lemon peel, and reserved pasta cooking water. Increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo, butter, and lemon juice. Transfer to serving bowl, and sprinkle with feta cheese and mint.

PASTA VERDE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl whisk together mustard and vinegar. While whisking, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente according to package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain; return to pot. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until just softened, about 4 minutes. Add zucchini; cook, stirring, until tender, about 4 minutes. Add snap peas and spinach; cook, stirring, until bright green, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in scallions and basil. Add to pasta along with vinaigrette; toss. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SALSA VERDE (GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Chop the herbs and garlic, mixing with 1 tsp sea salt, until very fine.
• Add the mustard and capers, and combine. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the olive oil.
• Add the vinegar, little by little, stirring and tasting as you go - trust your palate!

PASTA PRIMAVERA VERDE

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente.
• Meanwhile, steam the broccoli and beans in a steaming basket set over 1 quart of simmering water for 4 to 6 minutes.
• Remove the broccoli and beans and set aside.
• Add the peas and asparagus to the steaming basket and steam for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside with the other vegetables. Reserve the steaming broth.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the vegetables, dill, garlic, scallions or green onions, pepper flakes, oil and 1/2 to 3/4 cup reserved steaming broth (omit broth if using pesto), and heat over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to coat thoroughly. Add pesto and baby clams, if desired.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with snipped fresh parsley and toasted pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese at the table.
• Serve immediately.

LASAGNE VERDI AL FORNO

Steps:

• For the pasta dough: Steam the spinach in a steamer or over boiling water until bright green, 2 minutes. Squeeze to remove excess moisture and process in a food processor to make a paste. Combine spinach with eggs, semolina, and salt and process until smooth. Stir in enough of the flour to make a smooth dough. Knead briefly, cover and set aside.
• For the ragu: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Saute bacon, carrot, celery and onion until onion is translucent. Stir in ground pork, ground beef and minced ham, and cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste, oregano and beef stock. (Reserve the chicken livers for later.) Season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
• For the bechamel: While the ragu is simmering, combine 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons flour in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk to make a roux. Remove from heat, let rest one minute, then whisk in warm milk. Return to heat, simmer 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Season with salt and nutmeg. Remove from heat.
• To cook pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. On a floured surface, divide pasta dough into three portions. Roll each portion out to a thin sheet. Have ready an ice water bath. Cook each sheet 3 minutes in the boiling water; remove from the boiling water and dip in the ice water; drain and dry on a clean, dry cloth.
• To finish the ragu: Stir the chicken livers into the simmering sauce. Cook 1 minute, remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
• To assemble lasagna: Place one pasta sheet in bottom of prepared baking dish. Spread one-third of the ragu, one-quarter of the bechamel, one-third of the ricotta, and one-quarter of the parmesan over the pasta. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining bechamel and parmesan and dot with butter.
• Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes, until top is golden brown.