Rigatoni And Caponata Recipes

RIGATONI WITH BROCCOLINI AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions for al dente, adding the broccolini for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Reserve 2 1/2 cups of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccolini and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste, red pepper flakes and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until sizzling, 30 seconds. Add 2 cups of the reserved pasta water, bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Add the pasta, broccolini and parsley to the sauce and toss to coat, adding more water if needed. Taste and add salt if necessary. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the grated cheese, then toss well. Top each serving with more grated cheese.

RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot. Add eggplant caponata to pasta; toss, gradually adding enough reserved pasta water to mixture to coat pasta lightly. Serve garnished with Parmesan.

RIGATONI WITH CABBAGE AND FONTINA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook until the edges begin to crisp, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cabbage, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and toss to coat. Cook until the vegetables begin to brown and soften, about 3 minutes. Remove 1 cup cooking water from the pasta pot and add to the skillet; bring to a simmer and cook until the cabbage is just tender and the sauce is reduced by about half, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water to the skillet and increase the heat to high; toss to coat, adding more cooking water if the pasta is too dry (it should be very saucy). Stir in the parsley and remove from the heat. Sprinkle with the fontina and parmesan and toss.

CAPONATA

Steps:

• Roast the eggplant, allow to cool and chop coarsely.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook together for a minute, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant, and add the peppers and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring, until just about tender, about 8 minutes. Add another tablespoon of oil and the eggplant, and stir together for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. The eggplant will fall apart, which is fine. Season to taste.
• Add the tomatoes to the pan with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of sugar. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan often, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and they smell fragrant. Add the capers, olives, remaining sugar, and vinegar. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are thoroughly tender and the mixture is quite thick, sweet, and fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. If possible, cover and chill overnight. Serve at room temperature.

CAPONATA PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until starting to caramelise (or for longer if you have time - the sweeter the better). Add the garlic for the final 2 mins of cooking time.
• Tip in the mixed veg, tomatoes, capers and raisins. Season well and simmer, uncovered, for 10 mins, or until you have a rich sauce.
• Meanwhile, boil the kettle. Pour the kettleful of water into a large pan with a little salt and bring back to the boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender with a little bite, then drain, reserving some of the pasta water. Tip the pasta into the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if it needs loosening. Scatter with the basil leaves and parmesan, if you like, and serve straight from the pan

CAPONATA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Put pasta water on to boil.
• In a large saute pan stir-fry eggplant and garlic in 4 tablespoons olive oil, until tender and a little brown.
• Put pasta in boiling water.
• Remove eggplant mixture from pan and set aside. Saute onion and pepper in remaining oil for 5 minutes. Add eggplant mixture and all other ingredients to onion and pepper, cover and cook over low heat for about 7 minutes.
• Toss hot, drained al dente pasta together with eggplant sauce, garnish with a sprig of fresh basil (and the toasted pine nuts, if using), and serve with grated parmesan cheese. Add additional vinegar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Serves 4.
• *Note: I think I prefer this made with only 8 ounces of pasta.