Fusilli With Fresh Spinach And Ricotta Lidia Bastianich Food

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH FONTINA CHEESE AND SPINACH RECIPE

Steps:

• FOR THE SAUCE- Combine white wine, whipping cream, fresh lemon juice, vinegar, chopped shallot, and white pepper in a heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to a 1/4 cup, about 8 minutes. FOR THE CHICKEN- Pound each chicken breast between sheets of waxed paper to a 7x4-inch rectangle. Place smooth side down on work surface. Rub 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic over each chicken breast. Sprinkle each with 1/3 cup Fontina cheese, overlapping if necessary. Start at 1 sort side, tighly roll up chicken jelly roll style. Tie with string. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Prheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Season rolls with salt and pepper. Add the rolls tothe skillet and brown well on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate and cool 5 minutes. Bring sauce to a simmer, Add butter 1 piece at a time, whisking just until butter melts and sauce is smooth. Spoon sauce onto plates. Cut string off chicken. Cut chicken crosswise in 1/2-inch thick slices and serve.

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH AND RICOTTA PESTO

Steps:

• Toast the nuts in a small, heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until just golden and fragrant, 4-5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a big pot; lower the skewered garlic into the water; boil for 45 seconds.
• Immediately run the garlic under cold water; remove from skewer, peel, and mince.
• Place the nuts, garlic, spinach, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the work bowl of a food processor; process until smooth, stopping as necessary to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Transfer the mixture to a small bowl, stir in the cheeses, and adjust the salt.
• Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta to the boiling water; cook until al dente.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and transfer it back to the cooking pot.
• Mix in 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water and the pesto; use the additional 1/4 cup cooking water as needed to moisten the sauce.
• Divide among 4 warmed bowls and serve immediately.

FUSILLI WITH FRESH SPINACH AND RICOTTA - LIDIA BASTIANICH RECIPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Remove the stems from the spinach. Swish the spinach leaves in a large bowl or sinkful of cool water to clean. If there is a lot of sand and grit in the bottom of the bowl, change the water and wash the leaves again. Drain the spinach leaves and dry them well, preferably in a salad spinner. Stack several of the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1/4 inch strips. Repeat with the remaining spinach. You should have about 8 packed cups of shredded spinach. Stir the fusilli into the boiling water. Cover the pot and reheat to boiling, stirring once or twice. When the water returns to a boil, uncover the pot. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente- tender but firm- about 12 minutes.Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in the spinach and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and steam the spinach until wilted but still bright green, about 3 minutes. In a small bowl stir the ricotta and half and half until smooth. Stir the ricotta mixture and the butter into the skillet. Add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Drain the pasta well and return it to the pot over low heat. Add the spinach mixture and enough of the reserved cooking liquid to make a sauce that lightly coats the pasta. Toss thoroughly. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated cheese. Transfer the pasta to a warm serving platter or individual bowls and serve immediately.

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
• Pulse the spinach, basil, walnuts, garlic, and salt in a food processor. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Process to make a smooth paste, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Pour the fusilli into the boiling water, and cook until al dente. Scrape half of the pesto into a large skillet, and add 1 cup pasta water (no need to heat the sauce). Use a spider to drain the pasta and transfer to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta with the pesto. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss with the grated cheese and serve.
• notes
• You can freeze the remaining half of the pesto for future use. Just pack it into a plastic container and pour a thin film of olive oil over the top. Thaw in refrigerator before using. Or you can cut the recipe in half, if you just want enough for 1 pound of pasta.