Herbed Spaghettini Food

HERBED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise and place, cut side down, in a baking dish. Add enough water to come 1/2-inch up the sides of the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes, until the squash is easily pierced with a paring knife. Turn squash over and cover with foil again and continue to cook another 15 minutes, until the squash is very tender. Remove from the oven, uncover, and allow to cool slightly. Using a spoon, remove the seeds and discard. Using a fork, gently pull the strands of squash away from the peel and place the squash strands into a mixing bowl.
• Heat a skillet. Add the butter, spaghetti squash, herbs, salt and pepper and toss thoroughly but gently to heat and combine. Serve immediately or cover and keep warm until ready to serve.

SPAGHETTINI WITH CHECCA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the next 7 ingredients in a food processor. Pulse just until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped (do not puree).
• Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with the tomato mixture and fresh mozzarella in a large bowl. Add some of the reserved pasta water (about 1/4 cup) if the sauce looks dry. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTINI WITH BACON, MUSHROOMS AND HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the mixture is brick red, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. When the water boils, add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, add 1 cup of the cooking water to the skillet with the sauce; stir and bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and add to the skillet along with the butter and herbs. Cook, tossing, until the pasta absorbs some of the sauce, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Divide among bowls and top with cheese. Photograph by Andrew Purcell

HERBED BENEDICTINE

Steps:

• Chop 4 scallions; put the white parts in a bowl with 1/2 peeled, seeded and diced cucumber. Pulse the green parts in a food processor with 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 8 ounces cream cheese, a pinch of cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste; stir into the cucumber mixture. Serve with toasted bread.

HERBED SPAGHETTINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender, but still firm to the bite, from 7 to 10 minutes. In a food processor puree until smooth the scallions, parsley, butter, tarragon, lemon zest, lemon juice and ricotta cheese (and optional heavy cream). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Return pasta to pot, off heat, add the cheese mixture and reserved cooking water and toss thoroughly. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil.
• Add salt and spaghetti.
• Cook for 12-14 minutes.
• In the meantime, prepare the sauce: First, remove any thick or woody stems from the herbs and discard.
• Chop herbs finely- you should end up with about 3/4 cup of chopped herbs (a little more or less won't matter).
• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over a medium heat.
• Add garlic and cook until just beginning to colour.
• Remove saucepan from heat immediately.
• With the saucepan off the heat, add cream, butter, lemon rind and juice, herbs, salt and pepper and stir to mix well.
• When the spaghetti is cooked to your liking, drain it well then add the drained spaghetti to the saucepan (the one with the sauce in it).
• Return this saucepan to a low-medium heat and toss with two forks to combine the spaghetti with the sauce.
• Cook gently for a minute or two until the sauce begins to thicken and most, but not all, of it has been taken up by the spaghetti.
• Serve in bowls, drizzling over any remaining sauce.
• Top with parmesan cheese.
• Serve immediately.
• Serve as is or with a crisp green salad and a nice cold glass of dry white wine!

SPAGHETTI WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt, then add pasta. Cook until al dente.
• Just before pasta is done, heat oil in a large skillet. Add pepperoncini and half of the garlic; toss to heat through.
• Reserve 1 cup of pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Add pasta to skillet and stir. Add just enough reserved pasta water to moisten; stir in garlic and herbs. Stir in cheese, then season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with more olive oil and shaved Parmesan, if desired.