Pappardelle In Saffron Cream Food

PAPPARDELLE WITH PEAS AND ASPARAGUS IN ORANGE-SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim and cut the asparagus into 1 inch pieces.
• Chop the onion to your desired texture.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil and add the asparagus.
• Cook until crisp-tender, approximately 3-4 minutes.
• Remove the asparagus and set aside.
• Add the pappardelle to the boiling water and cook till al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, set a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add saffron to the skillet and heat till the saffron is fragrant and brittle, approximately 30 seconds.
• Crush the saffron to a powder with the back of a wooden spoon.
• Add the butter to the pan, heat till melted.
• Add the onion and saute till translucent.
• Stir in peas and orange zest, cook about 2 minutes, till peas are tender.
• Add the orange juice and asparagus, cook till the asparagus is warmed through.
• Season to taste with salt.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain and toss with the asparagus mixture.
• Serve with the grated Parmesan cheese.

PAPPARDELLE IN LEMON CREAM SAUCE WITH ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Trim asparagus and diagonally cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Finely chop shallots. Finely grate enough lemon zest to measure 1 1/2 teaspoons and squeeze enough juice to measure 3 tablespoons. Cut salmon into 2 x 1/2-inch strips.
• Fill a 6-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for asparagus and pasta. Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water.
• Cook asparagus in boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes, and with a slotted spoon transfer to ice water to stop cooking. Reserve water in pot over low heat, covered. Drain asparagus and set aside some asparagus tips for garnish.
• In a deep 12-inch heavy skillet cook shallots in butter with salt and pepper to taste over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cream and zest and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and remove skillet from heat. Return water in pot to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente and ladle out and reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta in a colander and add to sauce with asparagus, 1/2 cup pasta water, three fourths salmon, remaining tablespoon lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat mixture over low heat, gently tossing (and adding more remaining pasta water as needed if mixture becomes dry), until just heated through.
• Serve pasta garnished with reserved asparagus tips and remaining salmon.

PAPPARDELLE AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS IN SAFFRON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Place a large stock pot (8-quart or larger) of lightly salted water over high heat, to bring to a boil for the pasta. In a large nonstick or well-seasoned saute pan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and add mushroom slices. Saute until mushrooms are limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon, and set aside in a bowl.
• Add diced tomato to the pan. Saute until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon, and place in a bowl.
• Add 1/2 tablespoon of the remaining oil to the pan. Add yellow peppers, and saute until limp, about 3 minutes. Remove to a bowl. Add garlic to the pan and saute lightly; do not brown. Remove to bowl of peppers. Place pappardelle in pot of boiling water, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
• While pasta is cooking, add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to the saute pan. Increase heat to medium-high, and add shrimp. Saute until shrimp are pink but not fully cooked, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, and place in a bowl.
• Reduce heat under pan to medium, and add wine, fish stock or clam broth, chicken stock and any juices collected in the bowls of mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers and shrimp. Stir well with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add the cream and saffron, and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens and turns yellow from the saffron, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved vegetables and shrimp. Heat through, and add salt and pepper to taste. Add butter, if desired, and stir gently until it has melted. Add chives, reduce heat to very low, and cover pan.
• Drain pasta well, and transfer to a warm serving bowl. Add saffron cream sauce, and toss gently to mix well. Serve immediately.