Ziti With Fresh Asparagus And Toasted Pine Nuts Recipes

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.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PROSCIUTTO, PINE NUTS AND SHAVED PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the asparagus, prosciutto, Parmesan and pine nuts in a large baking dish or on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper (light on the salt, as prosciutto and Parm are salty). Toss together all the ingredients to evenly incorporate.
• Bake until the prosciutto and cheese are crisp, about 12 minutes.

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.

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.

CREAMY FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts, stirring often, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until al dente, according to package instructions, adding asparagus during last 5 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water; drain.
• Return pasta, asparagus, and reserved pasta water to the pot. Toss with goat cheese, mustard, dill, and toasted pine nuts. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.

ASPARAGUS RAVIOLI WITH PANCETTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• PREPARE pasta according to package directions, adding asparagus during last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and place in large serving bowl.
• HEAT large skillet over medium-high heat; add pancetta. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp. Add garlic; cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add to pasta.
• COMBINE lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in small bowl; drizzle over pasta. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and pine nuts.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Toast pine nuts in a 350 degree oven until golden (7 to 10 minutes) Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
• Break off the tough ends of the asparagus.
• Peel the stalks if you want extra tender asparagus.
• Toss asparagus with shallot, oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
• Roast 10 to 15 minutes.
• Turn twice during cooking.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts to serve.

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.

ASPARAGUS WITH TOASTED SEEDS

Steps:

• Place asparagus in microwave-proof dish and add 2 tablespoons water. Cook on high until tender, about 4 minutes.
• Heat sesame oil and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook for 1 minute, tossing to coat with the oil. Add pumpkin and sesame seeds and cook for 1 more minute.

PASTA WITH RED PEPPERS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cut the peppers into quarters and place them face down on a broiling pan lined with aluminum foil. Broil until the skins are charred and puffy. Place the peppers in a brown paper bag, seal and cool. Skin the peppers and slice them in thin strips.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add the garlic cloves and the peppers. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, bring six quarts salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and place in a heated bowl.
• Add the butter to the peppers and stir until melted. Add to the pasta and toss. Add the basil leaves, pine nuts and two tablespoons cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve. Pass the rest of the cheese separately.

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.