Spaghetti With Lentils Tomato And Fennel Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH LENTILS, TOMATO AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Rinse lentils. Put them in a saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Toss in Parmesan rind, if using. Add a good pinch of salt and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain lentils and reserve cooking water.
• As lentils cook, put 3 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is wavy, add diced onion and fennel, and season with salt and pepper. Add fennel seeds and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until softened and slightly caramelized, about 10 minutes.
• Add garlic, passata and 2 or 3 tablespoons finely chopped fennel fronds. Stir to combine and add drained lentils. Turn heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes or so, until somewhat thickened. Taste and correct seasoning, then cook for 5 minutes more, so the flavors meld. Add lentil cooking water as necessary to keep everything saucy.
• As sauce cooks, set a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente. Divide among individual bowls and ladle sauce over each serving. Top with shavings of ricotta salata and more chopped fennel fronds. Drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

HEARTY LENTIL SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the lentils, broth, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until lentils are tender. , Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, basil and oregano. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes., Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Serve with lentil sauce. Sprinkle with cheese.

PASTA AND LENTILS (PASTA E LENTICCHIE)

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

LENTIL SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan cook onion and garlic in oil for about 5 minutes, or until tender.
• Add lentils and water (or broth).
• Cover and cook on low heat until lentils are tender (20-35 minutes).
• Add tomato paste, 3/4 cup water and seasonings.
• Cover and cook until lentils are soft and mushy (about 10-15 minutes).
• Serve over cooked spaghetti.
• If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

PASTA WITH ROASTED FENNEL AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange fennel halves cut side down in 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Roast until fennel is light brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool. Cut fennel into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions are tender, about 6 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, oregano and sugar; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened to sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Add fennel and simmer 5 minutes longer. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook spaghettini in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Return pasta to same pot.
• Add sauce to pasta; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

FENNEL SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and cook the fennel seeds until they pop. Sizzle the garlic for 1 min, then add the lemon zest and half the fennel slices. Cook for 10-12 mins or until the fennel has softened.
• Meanwhile, bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta for 1 min less than pack instructions. Use tongs to transfer the pasta to the frying pan along with a good splash of pasta water. Increase the heat to high and toss well. Stir through the remaining fennel slices, the parsley and lemon juice, season generously, then tip straight into two bowls to serve. Top with the fennel fronds, extra olive oil and parmesan shavings, if you like.