Orecchiette With Roasted And Sundried Tomatoes Food

ORECCHIETTE WITH ROASTED FENNEL AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• For the fennel: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Spray a small baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• Toss the fennel, oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Arrange the fennel in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast until golden and tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the pasta: 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, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the sausage and break into 1/2-inch pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until all of the wine has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, parsley and capers. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the pasta, fennel and cheese. Toss until all ingredients are coated, adding the reserved pasta water as needed, to loosen the pasta.

HOMEMADE ORECCHIETTE PASTA

Steps:

• Mix semolina flour and salt in a large bowl or on a marble work surface. Make a well in the center.
• Pour water into the well a little at a time, mixing it with the flour. Add as much water as needed to make a sticky but compact dough.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is elastic and smooth, but not too soft, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
• Work with one portion of dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered to keep it from drying out. Dust a work surface with semolina flour; roll out the dough to make a rope, about 1/3 inch thick.
• Cut off little 1/3-inch thick pieces. Pick up knife with a rounded tip. Carefully hold one side of the dough with your index finger. Hold the knife in your other hand. Gently drag the small piece of dough towards you. Lift up the knife by the end in such a way that you get a thicker edge. You'll obtain a small disk of dough, thinner in the centre. Press the disk gently against your thumb and it will curve.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer orecchiette onto a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap orecchiette or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.

ORECCHIETTE WITH MIXED GREENS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a medium 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 pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.
• In medium bowl, mix the salad greens with the sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and Parmesan. Top with warm pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and wilt the greens. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper, or to taste. Garnish with additional Parmesan, if desired, and serve.

ORECCHIETTE WITH ROASTED AND SUNDRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss together tomatoes, oil and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt in bowl; spread onto prepared baking sheet. Roast in centre of oven for 25 minutes or until shriveled.
• Meanwhile, combine pesto, cheese, 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt and the pepper in large bowl.
• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta; stir occasionally until water returns to a boil. Cook for 9 to 11 minutes or until tender but firm. Drain, reserving 1 cup (250 mL) of the pasta cooking water. Toss pasta with pesto mixture. Add half of reserved pasta cooking water and toss again. Add more water if necessary to loosen sauce, adding 1/4 cup (50 mL) at a time. Stir in basil.
• Divide pasta among six bowls; spoon tomatoes over top. Serve with additional grated or shaved cheese, if desired.

STEP-BY-STEP ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Mound semolina and all-purpose flours and salt in 3 separate piles on a large, clean work surface.
• Using your fingers, swirl ingredients together until combined.
• Gather flour mixture into a pile, and create a well in center. Pour 1/2 cup water into well.
• Gradually incorporate flour mixture into water using your fingers.
• Once all the water is absorbed, continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture begins to form a dough.
• Start to gather and knead dough, working it until no dry flour remains on work surface.
• Continue to knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Divide dough into 16 equal portions, and cover them with a clean, damp kitchen towel.
• Roll 1 portion of dough into an 18-inch-long rope.
• Use a knife to cut and drag a 1/3-inch piece of dough from end of rope facing you -- a grainy wooden cutting board helps grip the dough.
• Holding knife at a 45-degree angle to work surface, press and roll dough toward you.
• Unfurl each piece of dough over your thumb in the opposite direction to form a concave shape, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lightly sprinkled with semolina flour. Repeat with remaining dough. Orecchiette can be stored at room temperature in a single layer overnight; cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.