Cannelloni With Bitter Greens And Artichoke Saute Food

CANNELLONI

Steps:

• First make the stuffing. In a deep skillet cook the onion, celery and carrot in the olive oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook the mixture, stirring, 1 minute. Add the veal, pork and beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Add the wine, reduce for 1 minute and stir in the broth. Add the herbs, bay leaf and salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Uncover and reduce until almost dry. Discard bay leaf. Transfer mixture to a bowl and let cool. Mix in egg yolks until well combined. Meanwhile, in a saucepan set over moderately low heat melt the butter, add the flour and whisk the mixture for 2 minutes. Add the milk, nutmeg and salt and pepper and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and the parsley. In a bowl combine the meat mixture with the cheese and parsley sauce. Make the tomato sauce and stir in the heavy cream.
• Now, make the pasta. Cut the dough crosswise into 5-inch lengths. In a pot of boiling salted water cook the noodles, a few at a time, for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until they are al dente, transferring them as they are cooked to a bowl of cold water. Spread the noodles in one layer on paper towels to drain. Spoon 1/4 cup of the filling down the center of one noodle, roll the noodle to enclose the filing, and transfer the cannelloni, seam side down, to a well-buttered gratin dish.Continue to make cannelloni with the remaining noodles and filling in the same manner, arranging them in one layer. Ladle the sauce over the cannelloni and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes or until bubbling. Run under the broiler about 4 inches from the heat, for 2 minutes, or until golden.

CANNELLINI BEAN SAUTE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic, and cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add beans, lemon juice, salt, pepper, italian seasonings, and a splash of white wine, and cook, stirring until softened and warmed through and liquid has reduced, about 3 minutes.
• Serve warm with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

GREEN BEAN AND ARTICHOKE "SAUTE"

Steps:

• In a glass bowl large enough to hold beans and artichokes, mix lemon juice, vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 tablespoon each herbs, parsley and chives.
• Toss green beans and artichoke hearts in marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate 30 minutes (or until ready to use).
• Drain off as much of the marinade as possible.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet. Toss beans and artichoke hearts until heated through (about 3 or 4 minutes).
• Add 1/2 cup parsley and 1/4 cup chives.
• If using, add the chopped pimento (or sun-dried tomatoes) at the last minute for color.
• Serve immediately.

CANNELLONI WITH BITTER GREENS AND ARTICHOKE SAUTE

Steps:

• To make the pasta, place the flour, salt, eggs and olive oil in a food processor and process until well combined. Turn the mixture out on a work surface and press the dough together. Knead until smooth. Wrap in a barely damp towel and let stand for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, to make the filling, toss together the spinach, mesclun and arugula. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Add 2/3 of the greens to the skillet and set the rest aside. With the garlic clove pierced on the tines of a fork, stir the greens until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, press the excess moisture from the greens. Place in a food processor with the egg yolks, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Process until smooth. Scrape into a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Divide the pasta dough in half. Roll out as thin as possible, making a rectangle slightly larger than 12 inches by 15 inches. Trim to 12 inches by 15 inches and then cut into 3-inch-by-4-inch rectangles. Repeat with the remaining dough. Let the pasta dry slightly while bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Have a bowl of ice water nearby and 2 dry towels, laid flat. Drop 6 pieces of pasta in the boiling water, wait 10 seconds, lift them out with tongs and place in the ice water. Lay the pieces flat on the towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining pasta.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a medium-size shallow baking dish. Place 2 tablespoons of the filling in a line across the short side of 1 of the pasta rectangles. Roll the pasta around the filling to form a tube. Repeat until all of the filling is used. (You may have some pasta left over.) Place the cannelloni in the dish and pour the chicken broth over them. Set aside.
• Stem the artichokes and pull off the tough outer leaves. Cut them in quarters. Bake the pasta for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the artichokes and saute, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the remaining greens and saute until artichokes are tender, about 5 minutes longer. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste and keep warm.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the pasta and place under the broiler until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Divide the artichoke mixture among 6 plates, top with 3 cannelloni and serve immediately.