Pappardelle With Greens And Ricotta Food

PAPPARDELLE WITH GREENS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens (you may have to do this in two batches). After the water returns to a boil, boil two to four minutes until the greens are tender. Using a deep-fry skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer them to the ice water. Do not drain the hot water in the pot, as you'll use it to cook the pasta. Drain the greens, squeeze dry and chop.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the garlic, cook for about a minute just until fragrant, and stir in the greens. Toss in the hot pan for about a minute, just until the greens are lightly coated with oil and fragrant with garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Place the ricotta in a large pasta bowl. Bring the water for the pasta back to a boil, and add the pappardelle. Cook al dente. Ladle 1/2 cup of the cooking water from the pasta into the ricotta and stir together. Drain the pasta, and toss with the ricotta, greens and cheeses. Serve at once.

PAPPARDELLE WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then put the peas in a colander and drain the pasta over the peas.
• Place the empty pot over medium heat and add the butter, swirling to melt. Add the radishes, shallot and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the radishes are slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the pasta and peas along with the spinach, herbs, lemon juice, 3/4 cup reserved cooking water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, tossing, until the spinach is wilted and the pasta is lightly coated, gradually adding more of the reserved cooking water if needed.
• Mix the ricotta, lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Serve over the pasta.

PAPPARDELLE WITH BEEF SUGO AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• To reconstitute the porcini, put the mushrooms in a bowl and pour hot water over them to cover, about 2 cups. Soak until the mushrooms soften, 30 minutes. Carefully lift the mushrooms out of the liquid with a fork, so as not to disturb the sediment settling at the bottom. Coarsely chop the mushrooms; you should have about 3/4 cup. Strain the porcini soaking water into a measuring cup through a coffee filter or a double layer of paper towels; you should have 1 1/2 cups.
• Put a large skillet over medium heat and coat with 2 tablespoons of the oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Toss in half of the garlic, all of the thyme and rosemary, and season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped porcini, the tomatoes, and the short ribs. Stir everything together and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and continue to cook until the liquid has evaporated, roughly 10 minutes. Pour in the broth and reserved porcini water. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. You should have about 6 cups of sauce.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pappardelle, give it a good stir, and cook until tender but still firm to the bite (al dente), 8 to 10 minutes.
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the escarole. Put a skillet over medium heat and coat with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the remaining garlic and stir until golden, only about 30 seconds. Add the escarole, stirring to coat with oil, and raise the heat to high. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the escarole is wilted and most of its liquid has evaporated, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add half of the sugo to the escarole and stir to combine. (Let the remaining sauce cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.)
• To serve, drain the pasta and put it back in the pot. Add the escarole and sauce, along with the butter and Parmesan, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. Divide among 4 plates. Top each with a spoonful of ricotta and shower with chopped parsley. Pass more grated cheese at the table.