Jaw Droppingly Delicious Asparagus Penne Rachael Ray Food

ASPARAGUS AND PISTACHIO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Trim the tough ends from the asparagus. Store half of the spears upright in a glass filled halfway with water to keep it fresh for a few days or until ready to serve. Chop the remaining asparagus and place it in a food processor. Add the mint, parsley, tarragon, cheese, pistachios, garlic and lime juice. Add the EVOO, pouring to a count of 6 (1/3 to 1/2 cup). Season with salt and pepper. Pulse until the pesto comes together. Place in a small container and store in the refrigerator if not using immediately.
• To serve, bring the pesto to room temperature and place it in a large, shallow serving bowl. Slice the reserved asparagus spears on an angle into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta and season with salt. Cook the pasta for 5 minutes, then add the peas and chopped asparagus and cook 2 to 3 more minutes. Scoop out 1 cup of the cooking water and add it to the serving bowl to thin the pesto. Drain the pasta, peas and asparagus and add to the bowl. Toss 1 to 2 minutes to combine. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with the shaved cheese.
• Cook's Note: The pesto can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

ASPARAGUS PENNE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

JAW DROPPINGLY DELICIOUS ASPARAGUS PENNE (RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water. Drop the asparagus in for 2 minutes, then remove, drain, and chop into 2-inch pieces. Add the pasta to the water and cook to al dente.
• To a skillet placed over medium heat, add the EVOO and butter. When the butter melts into the oil, add the garlic and gently cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then sprinkle the flour into the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Whisk in the stock, half and half, mustard, and lemon zest. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and tarragon, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken. Add the lemon juice, and gently toss the asparagus and pasta with the sauce to coat. Turn off the heat and adjust the salt and pepper to taste, then top with grated cheese and serve.

JALAPENO CHERMOULA PENNE AND FLAKED FISH

Steps:

• Place the basil, cilantro, mint, jalapenos, garlic, shallots, lime juice, olive oil and some salt and pepper in the food processor. Pulse to finely chop and combine the sauce; it should resemble a loose pesto. Store in an airtight container.
• To serve, preheat the broiler and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Brush the fish with oil and sprinkle with the seafood seasoning. Broil until opaque and brown at edges.
• Salt the water and cook the pasta to al dente, reserving 1 cup of the starchy water before draining.
• Toss the pasta with half of the starchy water, the sauce and half of the flaked cooked fish. Taste to adjust the seasoning, and add more of the pasta water if the pasta is dry. Serve the pasta in shallow bowls topped with the remaining fish and some almonds.

THREE VEGETABLE PENNE WITH TARRAGON-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a large pot of water to boil for pasta. Salt the water and add pasta to cook to al dente or, with a bite to it. Cut asparagus spears into 2 inch pieces on an angle. Cut zucchini into matchstick shapes. Cut haricots verts or green beans into 2-inch pieces on an angle. Add vegetables to pasta after penne has been cooking about 5 minutes. Cook veggies and pasta together 2 minutes. While pasta cooks, toast pine nuts in a small pan until golden, then cool. Place nuts, basil, tarragon, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, cheese and a little salt and pepper in a food processor. Turn the processor on and stream in the extra-virgin olive oil until thick sauce forms. Scrape pesto into large, shallow serving dish. Add a ladle of hot, starchy pasta water to the pesto. Drain penne and veggies and add immediately to pesto. Toss to coat pasta and vegetables evenly. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with extra grated cheese to pass at table. ;

ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Season the water with salt and add the asparagus. Cook until tender-crisp then transfer the asparagus to a serving plate. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the top and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

3 VEGGIE PENNE WITH TARRAGON-BASIL PESTO (RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• Heat a large pot of water to boil for pasta. Salt the water and add pasta to cook to al dente or, with a bite to it.
• Cut asparagus spears into 2-inch pieces on an angle. Cut zucchini into matchstick shapes. Cut haricots verts or green beans into 2-inch pieces on an angle.
• Add vegetables to pasta after penne has been cooking about 5 minutes. Cook veggies and pasta together 2 minutes.
• While pasta cooks, toast pine nuts in a small pan until golden, then cool.
• Place nuts, basil, tarragon, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, cheese and a little salt and pepper in a food processor. Turn the processor on and stream in the extra-virgin olive oil until thick sauce forms.
• Scrape pesto into large, shallow serving dish. Add a ladle of hot, starchy pasta water to the pesto.
• Drain penne and veggies and add immediately to pesto. Toss to coat pasta and vegetables evenly. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve with extra grated cheese to pass at table.

EASY AND DELICIOUS PASTA WITH BROCCOLI

Steps:

• boil pasta as directed on package.
• saute garlic in olive oil.
• add broccoli to garlic and oil.
• season to taste with salt and pepper.
• toss sauce in cooked pasta.
• serve hot with parmesean or romano cheese and enjoy!

BROWN RICE WITH ORANGE (RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, put rice, stock, orange rind, seasonings and butter.
• Bring to a simmer.
• Gently cook, covered, until rice has absorbed the liquid.
• Approximately 40-45 minutes.
• When rice is done, fluff with fork, add the orange juice, onions and parsley.
• Mix and serve.

TURKEY MEATLOAF BURGER (RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• In medium skillet over medium high heat, saute onion, celery in oil/butter until soft.
• Add apple and continue cooking another 3 minutes.
• Place in a bowl and let cool.
• Add the crumbs, seasonings, parsley, mustard, egg and turkey.
• Mix and shape into 4 patties.
• In small bowl combine cranberry sauce, sour cream and chives.
• set aside.
• In large non stick skillet over medium high heat, fry the patties until done.
• top with cheese and let melt slightly.
• Meanwhile gently toast cut buns.
• On bottom bun, place some onion, lettuce leaf, patty and spoon on some sauce.
• Place top on the patty.
• Serve with your favorite crudities.

TV SNACK

Steps:

• The above proportions can be increased or decreased according to family preferences.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• Melt butter and add flavorings.
• Place the mixture of cereals, pretzels and nuts in large shallow pan.
• Pour butter mixture over the cereal mixture.
• Place in the oven and heat for 1 1/2 hours mixing occasionally.