Mussels With Angel Hair Pasta Food

FIERY ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Stir the oil, parsley, lemon juice and lemon peel in a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and toss with enough reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and red pepper flakes, to taste. Sprinkle grated lemon peel over pasta for extra flavor and texture. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.
• Combine the oil and crushed red pepper flakes in a heavy small saucepan. Cook over low heat until a thermometer inserted into the oil registers 180 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Transfer the oil and pepper flakes to a 4-ounce bottle. Seal the lid. Refrigerate up to 1 month.
• Yield: 2 cups
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• For the toasted breadcrumbs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the baguette into large cubes. Add to a food processor and pulse until processed into crumbs. Spread the crumbs out on a baking sheet and toss with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and toast until golden brown, stirring as needed to evenly brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
• For the clams: Add the clams, 2 tablespoons of the chopped Calabrian chiles, garlic, onion, two of the thyme sprigs, white wine, 1 cup water and some kosher salt to a saucepan. Cover with a lid, bring to a boil, and cook just until the clams open, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the clams from the broth with tongs and allow to cool. Reserve the clam broth. Discard any clams that haven't opened. Once the clams have cooled, remove from shells and chop. Set aside.
• For the sauce: To a large high-sided saute pan, add the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil and allow the butter to melt. Once melted, add the remaining 2 tablespoons chopped Calabrian chilies and the remaining 2 thyme sprigs, along with a ladleful or two of the clam broth. Bring to a boil. Add a touch of cream and the chopped clams, stirring until just combined. Remove the thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, along with more broth if needed, and toss.
• Serve in a bowl, garnished with chopped parsley and toasted breadcrumbs.

BLUSHING ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, warm the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons water. Simmer until the water cooks out and the garlic becomes tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste with 2 more tablespoons water and cook to "fry" the paste for a minute in the oil, stirring. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook over medium heat until they soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream. Season with salt to taste. Keep warm.
• In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil. Add a generous handful of salt. Bring the water back up to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring with a slotted spoon to make sure it does not clump or stick to the bottom, until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid and drain the pasta in a large colander.
• Add the hot pasta right from the colander to the skillet and toss to coat with the cream. Shut the heat off and allow the pasta to rest for 2 minutes. If too thin, gently warm and reduce over low heat for 1 to 2 additional minutes. If it becomes too thick, simply thin it out with some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid. Serve topped with the cheese.

CREAMY SEAFOOD WITH ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
• Drain well.
• Set aside and keep warm.
• Combine mushrooms, green onions, white wine and garlic in a large nonstick skillet.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered until liquid evaporates.
• Add margarine, stirring to melt.
• Add flour and cook stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• Gradually stir in milk.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and begins to boil.
• Stir in your choice of seafood and sour cream; cook an additional 2-4 minutes until seafood is opaque and thorougly heated.
• Spoon over pasta; sprinkle with cheese and paprika.