Le Cirques Perciatelli With Peppers And Eggplant Food

PERCIATELLI WITH BROCCOLI, TOMATOES AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Place the raisins in a small bowl and cover with warm water. Let sit for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the baby broccoli. Blanch for 4 minutes and, using a skimmer or tongs, transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and shake out excess water. If the stems are thick and hard, peel. Chop coarsely.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until it smells fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute, and add the anchovies, thyme and tomatoes. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir in the olives. Drain the raisins or currants and add, along with the broccoli and about 1/4 cup of the cooking water from the broccoli. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is very tender and the sauce is fragrant. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Bring the water back to a boil and cook the pasta al dente, following the timing instructions on the package. Check the sauce and if it seems dry add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and transfer to the pan with the sauce. Toss together and serve, sprinkled with pecorino or Parmesan. If desired, drizzle a little olive oil over each serving.

LE CIRQUE'S SPAGHETTI PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Trim broccoli and break into small florets (reserve stems for another use).
• Trim the ends of the zucchini but do not peel.
• Cut each zucchini into quarters lengthwise and then cut each quarter into 1" pieces--you should have 1 and 1/2 cups of zucchini, not more.
• Cut each asparagus spear into thirds.
• Cook each of the green vegetables separately in boiling salted water to cover, just long so that each vegetable remains crisp but tender (Broccoli, zucchini, asparagus and green beans about 5 minutes, peas and pea pods about one minute if fresh, 30 seconds if frozen).
• Drain well then rinse in cold water, drain again, and combine the vegetables in a mixing bowl.
• Heat the canola oil in a skillet and add the mushrooms, season to taste with salt and pepper and cook about two minutes.
• Add mushrooms to the bowl of mixed vegetables.
• Add the chopped chiles and the parsley to the mixed vegetables.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan and add half the garlic, all the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring gently so as not to break up the tomatoes.
• Add the basil, stir and remove from heat, keeping it covered.
• Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente; drain and return to the pot.
• Heat the other 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and add the remaining garlic and all the vegetable mixture.
• Cook stirring gently, just to heat through.
• In a pan large enough to hold the pasta and the vegetables, melt the butter.
• Once melted, add the chicken broth, the cream, and the parmesan, cooking gently on and off heat till smooth.
• Add the spaghetti and toss quickly to blend.
• Add half the vegetable mixture and the reserved liquid from the tomatoes, tossing over very low heat.
• Add the remaining vegetables, and, if the suace seems too dry, about 1/4 cup more cream--but the sauce should not be soupy.
• Add the pine nuts and give the mixture a final toss.
• Place equal amounts of the pasta mixture in 4 or 8 shallow soup bowls, depending on whether this is to be an appetizer or a main dish.
• Spoon equal amounts of the tomato mixture over each portion.
• Serve immediately.

LE CIRQUE'S FETTUCCINE WITH GREEN BEANS AND BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a good sized pot of salted water to a boil and add the green beans and cook, perhaps as much as five minutes, but you must check--the beans should be tender but still crisp.
• Drain and set aside.
• Place basil, garlic, parmigiano and olive oil in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth -- you should have about 3/4 of a cup of the mixture.
• Meanwhile, cook the fettucine in boiling salted water until al dente, drain the pasta, and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• Melt one tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet and gently saute the green beans to warm them, seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Toss the pasta in with the beans.
• Add the basil puree, the pasta water and the remaining butter and stir well.
• Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve.

PERCIATELLI WITH GARLIC, WALNUTS, AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add 2 tablespoons salt. Add pasta; cook, according to package instructions, until al dente; drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large deep frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook, turning, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add cooked pasta, parsley, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, walnuts, red-pepper flakes, pecorino, remaining tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper; cook, tossing to combine, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Divide pasta among 4 plates and serve immediately, garnished with shaved pecorino, if desired.

PERCIATELLI WITH MEATBALLS AND TOMATO-PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place mushrooms in small bowl. Pour 2 cups hot water over; soak 30 minutes to soften. Remove mushrooms from water; squeeze liquid from mushrooms back into bowl. Chop mushrooms; reserve liquid.
• For sauce:
• Heat olive oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add rosemary and crushed red pepper; stir 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and 1 cup chopped porcini. Pour in mushroom liquid, leaving sediment in bowl. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare meatballs:
• Place bread in medium bowl. Pour milk over. Let stand until bread is very soft, about 15 minutes. Squeeze milk from bread; place bread in large bowl. Add veal, sausage, 3/4 cup cheese, egg, rosemary, salt, pepper and remaining porcini mushrooms. Using hands, blend veal mixture thoroughly.
• Pour oil into heavy large skillet to depth of 1/4 inch; heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, form veal mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls; add to skillet. Cook until brown, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to paper towels; drain.
• Add meatballs to tomato sauce. Simmer until sauce thickens and meatballs are just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Before using, bring to simmer, stirring frequently.)
• Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Transfer to platter. Spoon sauce and meatballs over. Serve, passing additional cheese separately.

LE CIRQUE'S SPA'TTI PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Trim broccoli and break it into bite-size florets. Set aside.
• Trim off and discard the ends of zucchini. Do not peel the zucchini. Cut zucchini into quarters. Cut each quarter into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups, no more. Set aside.
• Cut each asparagus spear into thirds. Set aside.
• Cook each of the green vegetables separately in boiling salted water to cover. It is essential to cook each vegetable so that it remains crisp but tender. Cook broccoli, zucchini, asparagus and green beans about 5 minutes. Drain well, run under cold water to chill and drain. Combine in a mixing bowl.
• Cook peas and pea pods 1 minute if fresh, 30 seconds if frozen. Drain, chill and drain again. Combine all vegetables in mixing bowl.
• Heat oil in a skillet and add mushrooms. Add salt and pepper to taste, shaking the skillet and stirring. Cook about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms to the vegetables. Add chopped chilies and parsley.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan and add half the garlic, all the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Cook about 4 minutes, stirring gently so as not to break up the tomatoes more than necessary. Add basil, stir and set aside.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet and add remaining garlic along with vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring gently, just to heat through.
• Drop the spaghetti into boiling salted water. Cook until al dente. Drain well. Return spaghetti to pot.
• Select utensil large enough to hold drained spaghetti and vegetables. To this, add butter. When it melts, add chicken broth, 1/2 cup cream and cheese, stirring constantly. Cook gently on and off heat until smooth. Add spaghetti and toss quickly to blend. Add half the vegetables and pour in liquid from the tomatoes, tossing over very low heat.
• Add remaining vegetables and, if sauce seems too dry, add about 1/4 cup more cream. Sauce should not be soupy. Add pine nuts and give mixture final tossing
• Serve equal portions of the spaghetti mixture in 4-to-8 soup or spaghetti bowls, depending on whether spaghetti is being served as main course or appetizer. Spoon equal amounts of tomatoes over each serving. Serve immediately.

PERCIATELLI WITH SHRIMP AND GARLIC BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and half of garlic; sauté until crumbs are golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl.
• Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 5 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and remaining garlic to skillet; sauté until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup parsley, capers, and lemon peel. Add cooked pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water. Mix in 1 cup garlic breadcrumbs, adding more pasta cooking water if dry. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining garlic breadcrumbs and parsley.

LE CIRQUE'S PENNE WITH ARTICHOKES AND CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• To prepare the Artichokes:.
• Cut of stems using a sharp knife to produce a neat, flat base.
• As artichokes are cut, rub exposed surfaces with lemon juice to prevent discoloration.
• With your sharp paring knife, trim off the bottom two layers of leaves, being careful not to cut away the white part (bottom) underneath.
• Trim any remaining green from around the base.
• Lay the artichoke on its side and cut through, leaving about 1 and 1/2" from base to the trimmed top.
• Turn the artichoke upside down and halve it.
• Cut each half into four or five wedges and then remove and discard the fuzzy choke from the center of each wedge.
• Your artichokes are now ready to be cooked, but if you are not going to cook them immediately, place them in a bowl and cover them with acidulated water (lemon juice and water).
• To make the Recipe:.
• Place the trimmed artichokes into a small saucepan and cover with water and the juice from half a lemon.
• Bring to a boil, blanch for five minutes, drain and set aside.
• Place the pancetta in a saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, drain and set aside.
• Place the cauliflower florets into a large saucepan, cover with salted water, bring to a boil, cook five minutes (or less if florets are small--check--they should be crisp tender), drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, add the pancetta, and cook over medium heat for two minutes.
• Add the artichokes and saute briefly.
• Season with oregano and rosemary and cook five minutes.
• Add the garlic and tomatoes to the pan and cook two minutes.
• Add the olives, cauliflower and parsely and salt and pepper and cook five minutes.
• Meanwhile cook the penne in boiling salted water until al dente and drain, reserving 1 and 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
• Toss the pasta in the pan with the sauce, then add the cooking liquid and cook for two minutes.
• Taste the sauce, adjust the seasoning, add the butter and the cheese and stir gently till melted and serve.

PERCIATELLI WITH TOMATO AND PROSCIUTTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat.
• Drain the tomatoes and reserve the juice. Cut the tomatoes in quarters lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and cores. Stir the perciatelli into the boiling water. Return to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large, heavy skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bay leaves and cook until the onion is wilted but still crunchy, about 4 minutes. Add the prosciutto and stir 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, about 1 cup of the reserved liquid, and the crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer, and cook until the pasta is done.
• Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta-cooking liquid, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add half the sauce and the remaining olive oil. Stir until the sauce is bubbling and the pasta is coated. If necessary, add as much of the reserved pasta-cooking liquid as needed to make enough sauce to coat the pasta lightly but evenly. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated cheese. Transfer the pasta to a heated platter or serving bowls and top with the remaining sauce.

ROASTED EGGPLANT, ZUCCHINI, AND CHICKPEA WRAPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk vinegar, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 teaspoon each thyme and oregano in a small bowl; set vinaigrette aside.
• Lightly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss eggplant, zucchini, onion, and remaining 2 teaspoons each thyme and oregano in a large bowl. Spread in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Roast, tossing occasionally, until golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, and salt; season with pepper. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss to coat. Arrange mozzarella in center of lavash pieces or wraps. Top each with 1 1/4 cups vegetable salad. Roll up, and cut in half.