Alex Guarnaschelli Pasta Food

PUMPKIN PASTA WITH WINTER HERBS AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt. The pasta water should taste like sea water. Add the pasta to the pot and stir so it doesn't stick to the bottom as it cooks. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve some of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta in a colander and hold it there until the sauce is finished.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the sage sprigs and cook until crispy but not browned, about 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Fry the rosemary sprigs in the same hot oil until crispy but not browned, about 1 minute. Transfer to the same plate. Sprinkle the fried herbs with salt. Remove the leaves from the stems (discard the stems). Discard the oil or save for another use.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and melt and cook 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter until it starts to turn light brown. Add the ginger and garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the pumpkin, sugar and some of the reserved pasta water. Stir in about 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and warm gently, tossing to coat the pasta with the sauce. Stir in some of the fried sage and rosemary. Top with the remaining Parmesan and fried herbs.

BLUSHING ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, warm the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons water. Simmer until the water cooks out and the garlic becomes tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste with 2 more tablespoons water and cook to "fry" the paste for a minute in the oil, stirring. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook over medium heat until they soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream. Season with salt to taste. Keep warm.
• In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil. Add a generous handful of salt. Bring the water back up to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring with a slotted spoon to make sure it does not clump or stick to the bottom, until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid and drain the pasta in a large colander.
• Add the hot pasta right from the colander to the skillet and toss to coat with the cream. Shut the heat off and allow the pasta to rest for 2 minutes. If too thin, gently warm and reduce over low heat for 1 to 2 additional minutes. If it becomes too thick, simply thin it out with some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid. Serve topped with the cheese.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce and hot sauce until smooth. Drain and dry the red onion and stir it into the dressing along with the bell pepper, scallions and a generous pinch of salt.
• Make the pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring from time to time, until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 6 to 10 minutes. Drain; do not rinse the pasta. Spread it out on a large baking sheet to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• While the pasta is still warm, add it to the bowl with the dressing and let sit at room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir in the dill and basil just before serving and taste for seasoning.

PENNE PASTA WITH ALEX GUARNASCHELLI

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil just begins to smoke, add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Reduce the heat to low. To the same skillet, add the red pepper flakes, garlic and shallots. Season with salt. Add the oregano and stir. Cook until the garlic and shallots are tender and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place a strainer over a medium bowl. Quarter the tomatoes and, working over the strainer, scrape the seeds and "jelly" from each piece. Push the liquid through the strainer and discard the seeds. Add the tomato flesh and liquid to the shallot mixture and stir in the sugar and 1 tablespoon salt. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the tomato flesh starts to lose shape, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and simmer until the tomato sauce is mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil and add salt. Cook the pasta, stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom, until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving a bit of the pasta cooking water, and set aside until the sauce is finished.
• Transfer the tomato sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Add the balsamic vinegar and blend again. With the blender running, pour the remaining 1/2 cup oil through the top in a slow, steady stream. Blend in 1 cup water then transfer the sauce to a large skillet and add salt to taste.
• Place the skillet over medium heat and add the pasta. Stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sauce and pasta are heated through, about 6 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out. Drain any excess grease from the sausage and stir it into the pasta. Season with salt. Tear the basil leaves over the pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan.