Calamari Noodles With Black Olives And Arugula Food

PASTA WITH KALAMATA OLIVES AND ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Combine tomatoes, oil, garlic, vinegar, and crushed red pepper in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Roast until tomatoes are tender and juicy, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Stir in oregano. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Return to pot. Add tomato mixture, olives, and capers. Stir over medium heat until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add feta and stir until melted and creamy, about 2 minutes. Divide pasta among 6 plates; sprinkle with pine nuts and serve.

CALAMARI NOODLES WITH FINGERLING POTATOES & BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Cut each calamari tube into 1/4-inch strips lengthwise. If using the tentacles, cut into segments.
• Coat a large sauté pan generously with olive oil. Add the smashed garlic cloves and red pepper and bring to high heat. When the garlic is golden brown and very aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes, remove it from the pan and ditch it-it has fulfilled its garlic destiny!
• Add the potatoes to the garlic-infused oil and bring to medium-high heat; cook until brown on one side, about 5 minutes, then turn and brown the second side. Remove the potatoes from the pan and reserve.
• Add the calamari to the pan and toss it in the hot oil. Season with salt and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until it turns opaque. Add the wine and the olives and continue to cook until the wine has reduced by about half, 3 to 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• While the calamari is cooking, toast or grill the bread until charred on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes total. Rub the bread with the remaining garlic clove and drizzle generously with olive oil.
• Divide the arugula between four serving bowls. Spoon the reserved potatoes, calamari, and the pan juices over the greens. Cut each piece of bread in half on the bias and lay it on top of the calamari; garnish with chives and serve.
• When it comes to cooking with wine-use something you would feel comfy drinking.

MJ'S RICE SALAD WITH ARUGULA, PINE NUTS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups chicken broth to boil in heavy medium saucepan.
• Add rice.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook until chicken broth is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff rice with fork. Transfer to large bowl.
• Mix in 5 tablespoons olive oil, then add remaining ingredients.
• Season salad to taste with pepper.
• (Salad can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature).

FENNEL AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Wash fennel bulb and trim off leaves and stems. Slice off bottom of bulb; then, thinly slice the remainder of it and separate into rings. Arrange on two salad plates.
• Pit olives, and sprinkle over fennel. Dribble olive oil on top.