Mixed Fresh Herb Pasta Food

MIXED-HERB PASTA WITH RED BELL PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add peppers and cook until crisp-tender, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add wine; boil until reduced by 1/3, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta and reserved cooking liquid to pot. Add pepper mixture, herbs, and cheese. Toss gently but thoroughly until cheese begins to melt. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

MIXED FRESH HERB PASTA

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water; bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt and pasta. Cook until the pasta is al dente according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, place shallots on a cutting board, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Using the side of a chef's knife, crush into a paste. Transfer to a medium bowl, and add oil and lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Add herbs and fennel fronds to shallot paste, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
• Drain the pasta in a colander, and return to pot. Stir in the herb sauce. Serve warm.

HERB PASTA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a food processor combine the flour, salt, eggs, oil and 1/4 cup water; process until dough begins to form a ball. Add more water, only if needed, 1 teaspoon at a time. Process 30 seconds more to knead. Remove dough from processor and rest, covered with inverted bowl, at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Divide dough into 4 pieces. Set rollers of pasta machine at widest setting. Flatten 1 piece of dough into a rectangle (cover other pieces with inverted bowl). Lightly dust rectangle with flour and feed through rollers. Fold rectangle in half and feed through rollers 6 to 8 more times, folding in half each time and dusting lightly with flour to keep it from sticking to machine. Turn dial down one notch and feed the dough to last setting. Repeat with other 3 pieces.
• Cut sheets of dough into equal lengths. Cover surface of one sheet with fresh herb leaves (stems removed). Top with second dough sheet. With lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough sheets to seal. With pastry wheel or knife, cut dough into large shapes and dust very lightly with flour. Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet and dry slightly.

PASTA WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add salt. Add capellini, and cook until al dente, following manufacturer's directions.
• In a medium skillet, heat 4 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook until fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes; set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the chopped parsley, chives, thyme, and sage. Season with salt and pepper. Using a pasta fork, transfer pasta to the bowl with the herbs. Add the garlic-and-oil mixture, and toss to combine. Serve garnished with cheese and curly parsley leaves.

ITALIAN HERB MIX

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Use to season meats or vegetables.

FRESH HERB PASTA DOUGH

Steps:

• Wash and dry your fresh herbs. Basil, chives, spinach, arugula, green onion, baby salad greens, or any combination of fresh herbs/greens will work well.
• Coarsely chop the herbs with kitchen shears or a knife. Place in a sturdy bowl and sprinkle with the coarse salt. Use a pestle, dowel or even the handle of a whisk to grind the salt and herbs together into a wet paste.
• Add the flour and eggs to the bowl and mix well. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until a rough dough forms and there's no dry flour in the bowl. The dough will be fairly stiff, and firmer than bread dough.
• Turn the dough out onto your work surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and springy. Wrap well in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Note: you may also choose to do this in a stand mixer, or in your bread machine set on the dough cycle. If you use your bread machine, cancel the cycle after about 10 minutes of kneading, and remove the dough.
• Following the instructions on your pasta machine, roll the dough to the desired thickness. Allow the sheets to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting into strips. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Cook the fresh pasta for 3 to 4 minutes, testing for doneness after 3 minutes. Drain the pasta and serve as desired. A simple dressing of melted butter and fresh Parmesan cheese is outstanding, and lets the flavors of the herbs shine through.

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 FRESH TOMATO AND HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Drop in the tomatoes, cook for 15 seconds, and then transfer them to a large bowl of cool water. Slip off the skins and cut them in half through the middle. Poke out the seeds with your finger, and roughly dice the flesh. Warm a large ceramic or glass mixing bowl by rinsing it with hot water. Toss the tomatoes in the bowl with the olive oil, mixed herbs, parsley, and ricotta cheese.
• Bring the large pot of water back to a rolling boil, add the spaghetti, and cook until tender but still firm. Drain and add it immediately to the tomato mixture in the bowl. Sprinkle with the Parmigiano. Toss with tongs or two wooden spoons until the pasta is evenly coated. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Pass extra Parmigiano cheese at the table.