Angel Hair Pasta With Pancetta And Broccoli Iron Chef Michael S Food

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH PANCETTA AND BROCCOLI (IRON CHEF MICHAEL S

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile ,take diced pancetta and add to saute pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Saute until just crisp.
• Add broccoli to pan with pancetta. Continue cooking until just tender.
• Add pine nuts to pan and move contents in the pan to one side and add another tablespoon of olive oil and the sliced garlic. You want the garlic to toast but not burn.
• Ladle in 1/2 cup of the pasta water to the pan and mix to incorporate.
• Drain pasta and return to the pot. Combine mixture and chili flakes if using with the pasta.
• Serve hot and pass with the parmesan cheese.

SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt . Add the spaghetti, give it a stir and cook until al dente according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the oil, butter, garlic and a pinch of salt and sweat the garlic for 2 minutes. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the wine, lemon juice and chile flakes if using and cook until the shrimp are just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Reserve some of the pasta water, then drain the spaghetti. Add the spaghetti and a little of the reserved pasta water to the pan with the shrimp and toss to combine. Toss in the parsley if using and serve.

FIERY ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Stir the oil, parsley, lemon juice and lemon peel in a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and toss with enough reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and red pepper flakes, to taste. Sprinkle grated lemon peel over pasta for extra flavor and texture. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.
• Combine the oil and crushed red pepper flakes in a heavy small saucepan. Cook over low heat until a thermometer inserted into the oil registers 180 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Transfer the oil and pepper flakes to a 4-ounce bottle. Seal the lid. Refrigerate up to 1 month.
• Yield: 2 cups
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours

BROCCOLI WITH ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Saute garlic and red pepper for about 2 minutes.
• Add broth and broccoli. Cover and let cook for 4-5 minutes.
• Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the prepared pasta.
• Toss broccoli, pasta, and parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
• Optional: Sometimes I use a little olive oil and butter instead of just the olive oil -- it all depends on how many calories I feel like eating that night :).

BROCCOLI GARLIC ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Hold a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle and cut the florets from the broccoli stems into a bowl. Chop remaining stems into small pieces and transfer stems to a separate bowl.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil with butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook garlic in the hot oil-butter mixture, stirring often, until garlic is soft but not browned. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and salt. Pour chicken stock into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir broccoli stems into the stock mixture and simmer until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add a little water or stock if mixture starts to dry out.
• Stir broccoli florets into skillet and cook broccoli sauce until florets are bright green and slightly tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and stir in angel hair pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta strands are almost tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large pot.
• Pour broccoli sauce over pasta, stir with a wooden spoon, and mix in 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Cover pot with a lid and let stand until pasta absorbs excess liquid and finishes cooking, about 2 minutes.
• Serve in bowls and sprinkle each serving with a dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

FRESH ANGEL-HAIR PASTA WITH BACON AND PEAS

Steps:

• Set a large pot of salted water to boil. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain (leave fat in skillet).
• Add shallots to skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add peas and half-and-half; season with salt and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to combine, adding some reserved pasta water a little at a time to coat. Sprinkle with bacon, and serve immediately.

BROCCOLI PESTO & PANCETTA PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the broccoli and boil for 5 mins. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Put the pasta in the same pan and cook following pack instructions. Meanwhile, tip the broccoli into a food processor with the pine nuts, basil, garlic, parmesan and oil, and blitz until smooth. Season with black pepper and a little salt (the pancetta is very salty).
• Set a frying pan over a medium heat and cook the pancetta for 2 mins. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 mins, or until softened. Toss the pasta with the broccoli pesto, tomatoes and pancetta, and loosen with a splash of pasta water, if needed. Spoon into bowls and serve.