Ziti With Fresh Asparagus And Toasted Pine Nuts Recipes

ZITI WITH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Following the directions on package, cook the ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water. 2 minutes before the ziti is done, add chopped asparagus to the pasta and water. When ziti is done, drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
• Add asparagus and pasta to the skillet. If needed, add some of the reserved cooking liquid. (I used almost all of it.) Toss to coat.
• Add the prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS & LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Snap off tough ends of asparagus.
• Remove scales from stalks with knife or vegetable peeler, if desired.
• Place spears in a steaming rack over boiling water; cover and steam 4-5 minutes or until spears are crisp-tender.
• Transfer to a serving platter.
• Sautee pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat 2-3 minutes, until browned.
• Set aside.
• Combine olive oil and remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan; stir with a wire whisk to blend.
• Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.
• Pour over asparagus.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Let stand to room temperature before serving.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• On medium heat, add butter and olive oil to pan and swirl until entire pot is coated.
• At the same time, bring broth to a simmer in a separate pot.
• Add onion and stir; sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add chopped rosemary, Italian parsley, and pine nuts.
• Sauté for 3 more minutes.
• Add garlic and rice and sauté for 1 more minute.
• Be sure not to let the garlic brown.
• Add the wine and cook until absorbed, about 30 seconds.
• Add ¾ of the simmering broth and stir.
• Watch over rice carefully.
• When most liquid has been absorbed, add the rest of the broth.
• Simmer the rice for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• (NOTE: If the rice begins to stick to the bottom of your pan, add more water, 1/2 cup at a time until absorbed. You need to add more water if no liquid is visible in the pan, 1/2 cup water until absorbed.) Meanwhile, wash, trim asparagus and discard ends.
• Cut off asparagus tips.
• Chop remaining asparagus stalks into bite sized pieces.
• Add ½ of the stalks and stir, continue simmering for another 5 minutes, adding more water if needed.
• Add asparagus tips and continue stirring often, adding more liquid as needed, cooking until rice is tender and mixture is creamy; about 8-10 more minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and cream and stir.
• When blended, remove from heat.
• Serve with salt, pepper and additional Parmesan to taste.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread pine nuts in a small baking pan and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a small bowl to cool.
• Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
• Snap off the tough ends of asparagus.
• Toss the asparagus with shallot, oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet with sides.
• Roast, turning twice, until the asparagus is tender and browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring vinegar and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, swirling the pan occasionally, until slightly syrupy and reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 5 minutes.
• To serve, toss the asparagus with the reduced vinegar and sprinkle with the pine nuts.

TUSCAN-STYLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place the asparagus, tomatoes and pine nuts on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Mix 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt and pepper; add to asparagus and toss to coat. , Bake 15-20 minutes or just until asparagus is tender. Drizzle with remaining oil and the lemon juice; sprinkle with cheese and lemon aest. Toss to combine.

CHICKEN AND ZITI WITH ASPARAGUS IN A CREAMY SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Place the asparagus in a colander and lower it into the boiling water. Cook the asparagus until it is just tender, about 2-4 minutes. Plunge the colander of asparagus into a bowl of ice water. When the asparagus is cool, remove the colander from the ice water and drain.
• Top off the pot of water, if necessary, and bring it back to a boil.
• Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over moderately high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Sauté the chicken until golden on all sides.
• Add the red peppers and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove the chicken and red peppers from the pan and set aside.
• Turn the heat down to medium, add the wine and reduce until it is almost completely evaporated. Add the chicken stock and reduce by half. Add the low-fat sour cream and stir until the sauce is creamy. Add the chicken, red peppers and asparagus to the sauce and heat thoroughly. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for about 12 minutes until it is al dente. Drain and toss with the chicken and cream sauce. Serve immediately in warm pasta bowls and sprinkle with parsley.

ZITI WITH FRESH ASPARAGUS AND TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cut peppers in half, and remove the seeds and membrane.
• Place prepared peppers, skin-side up, on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 5 inches from the heating element for 15 to 20 minutes (until peppers blister and turn dark).
• Transfer roasted peppers to a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes.
• Peel off the skins from the peppers; cut into julienne strips, lightly salt and set aside.
• Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus; cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Steam the asparagus for 2 to 3 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Lightly salt and set aside.
• Coat a large heavy-bottomed skillet with olive oil; place over medium-high heat until hot. Add the peppers, garlic, onion powder and basil; saute for 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and saute for 1 minute; stir in the lemon juice.
• Remove vegetables from heat, and set aside.
• Cook the ziti according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in an electric blender or food processor, add the ricotta cheese, yogurt and sour cream; blend until smooth. Stir in the parsley.
• Add the ricotta mixture to the peppers and asparagus. Gently toss to combine.
• Transfer the cooked pasta to a large serving bowl; add the ricotta/peppers. Toss well to combine. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and black pepper.