Leek Prosciutto And Cheese Empañadas Food

PASTA WITH LEEKS, PEAS, AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot.
• While pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium. Add leeks; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add peas; cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To drained pasta, add leek mixture, remaining 3 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, and prosciutto; season with salt and pepper. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, tossing, until a thin sauce coats pasta. (You may not need all the water.) Serve, sprinkled with ricotta salata.

CHEESE & PROSCIUTTO-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Flatten chicken breasts to 1/4-in. thickness; spread 2 tablespoons cream cheese down the center of each. Top with one slice of prosciutto, 1 tablespoon of tomatoes and two basil leaves. Roll up and tuck in ends; secure with toothpicks., Place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and Romano cheese. Dip chicken in flour, eggs, and then coat with bread crumb mixture., In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil in batches. Place seam side down in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°., In a small saucepan, heat cream and shallot over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Stir in Gorgonzola cheese, salt and pepper. Cook 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. , Discard toothpicks. Drizzle chicken with sauce; sprinkle with minced basil.

LEEK, PROSCIUTTO AND CHEESE EMPAñADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• In a small heavy skillet cook leek and prosciutto in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until leek is softened. Add water and cook, covered, over low heat until leek is soft, about 10 minutes. Pour off any excess water. Remove skillet from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Let filling cool completely and stir in cheese.
• Roll out puff pastry on lightly floured surface into a 12-inch square and with a 4-inch round cutter cut out 4 rounds.
• Divide filling among rounds, mounding it in the center, and brush edges of rounds with water. Fold rounds in half, pressing edges together firmly, and crimp edges with tines of fork to seal well.Empanadas may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and dept covered and chilled.
• Arrange empanadas on a dampened baking sheet and brush with egg wash. Prick top of each empanada several times with fork (for steam vents). Bake empanadas in upper third of oven until puffed and golden, 12 to 15 minutes.