Spaghetti With Artichokes And Pancetta Food

PASTA WITH ARTICHOKES AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Squeeze one lemon half into a large bowl of cold water. Pluck off all tough leaves from one artichoke, until you reach leaves that are pale and soft. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, peel stem and trim base of artichoke, then dunk it in lemon water to keep it from browning. Cut off the top 1/3 of artichoke and discard. Cut artichoke in half; remove any inner purple leaves and scoop out the fuzzy choke if there is one. Thinly slice artichoke lengthwise to include some of the heart. Put slices in the lemon water and leave them there as you cut remaining artichokes.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil, then cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in pancetta and cook until browned and crispy, stirring occasionally, 8 to 12 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate; leave fat in pan.
• Drain the artichokes, shaking them well to remove excess water. Raise heat under pan to medium-high, and stir in artichokes, leeks, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and cook until golden brown and tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and stir in vermouth, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.
• Stir in cooked pasta, pancetta, chives and parsley. If the mixture seems dry, add pasta water, a little at a time. Stir in more salt to taste, Parmesan and lemon juice to taste.
• Transfer to serving plates and top with a drizzle of oil, more black pepper, and more grated cheese.

PANCETTA AND ARTICHOKE BAKED PASTA WITH SMOKED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the artichoke hearts and cook, stirring, until warm, about 2 minutes; transfer to the bowl with the pancetta.
• Cook the penne in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
• Add the tomato sauce, smoked mozzarella and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

ARTICHOKES STUFFED WITH PANCETTA AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Squeeze juice from 1 lemon into large bowl of cold water; add 2 lemon halves. Cut stem off 1 artichoke; cut stem into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds in lemon water. Starting at base of artichoke, bend outer leaves back; snap off where leaves break naturally, leaving tender yellow-green leaves attached. Using vegetable peeler, trim outside of base until no dark green areas remain. Rub cut surfaces with remaining lemon halves. Cut off top half of artichoke. Pull out purple-tipped leaves from center. Using spoon, scoop out fibrous choke. Place artichoke in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Drain artichokes and stems. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add artichokes and stem rounds. Cook until artichokes are golden, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from heat. Transfer stem rounds to small bowl.
• Mix pancetta and parsley in bowl; spoon into artichokes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over artichokes in skillet. Add 2/3 cup water; bring to boil. Cover; cook artichokes over medium-low heat until cooking liquid is reduced by about half, about 25 minutes. Add stem rounds; cook about 2 minutes. Serve artichokes surrounded by stem rounds and cooking liquid.
• *Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets and some specialty foods stores.

SPAGHETTI WITH PROSCIUTTO, PEAS AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot is slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the artichoke hearts, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until evaporated slightly, about 1 minute. Add the heavy cream and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in the fontina and cook until the sauce is thick and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the prosciutto.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the spaghetti to the skillet along with the peas and Parmesan. Stir until well coated, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt and pepper.

ARTICHOKE CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, make the sauce: Cut the guanciale into 1/4-inch-thick slabs and then 1-inch-long strips. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large, deep skillet and heat over medium. Add the guanciale, reduce the heat to low and allow the guanciale to render until crisp, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove the guanciale from the skillet and reserve. Remove 1 tablespoon of the guanciale drippings to a small bowl and set aside.
• Add the artichokes to the skillet and cook until warmed, stirring carefully so they do not break apart. Stir in the cooked guanciale.
• Add the egg yolks, the cheese, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the small bowl with the reserved guanciale drippings and stir until combined.
• Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then, using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta to the skillet, mixing to incorporate with the artichokes and guanciale.
• While whisking, slowly drizzle 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water into the egg mixture until combined.
• Remove the pasta from the heat and add the egg mixture, tossing vigorously to coat. Add more reserved pasta water incrementally until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Divide the pasta among bowls and top with more grated cheese. If desired, place a raw egg yolk on top of each pasta nest. Top with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil to finish.

ARTICHOKE AND MUSHROOM PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
• Drain. Toss pasts with 1 Tbs oil.
• Heat 2 Tbs oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add mushrooms, garlic and oregano; saute until golden, about 4 minutes.
• Add artichokes; saute 3 minutes.
• Add stock, lemon juice and peel and crushed red pepper and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Add butter; whisk until just melted.
• Add pasta and parsley; toss until pasta is coated and heated through.
• Add 3/4 cup cheese and toss to coat.
• Season with Salt and Pepper.
• Transfer to a large bowl to serve and top with remaining cheese.

PENNE WITH ARTICHOKES, PANCETTA, AND THYME

Steps:

• Put your water to boil and cook pasta.
• Drain the can of artichokes and slice into slivers.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over a medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook until it softens and turns a rich gold color.
• Add the pancetta and continue sauteing until the pancetta is nicely browned but not crisp Once the pasta is almost done, return the sauce to the heat.
• Add the artichoke hearts, salt, black pepper and thyme and boil away any excess liquid, leaving just a little moisture.
• When the pasta is cooked al dente, drain it and toss it with the sauce, adding the grated cheese.
• Taste for salt and pepper and serve at once with extra fresh grated parmigiano to top if desired.