Swiss Chard Ricotta Gnudi With Fall Mushrooms Food

SWISS CHARD AND RICOTTA CROSTATA

Steps:

• Combine the flour, Parmesan, mascarpone, salt, cayenne and butter in the bowl of a food processor and pulse, pulse, pulse, until it looks very dry and crumbly--what I like to call the Parmesan stage. Add the eggs and pulse until the mixture forms a ball. Remove the dough from the food processor, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Coat a large saute pan generously with olive oil. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and bring the pan to a medium heat. When the garlic has become golden brown and is very aromatic remove it and discard, it has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Add the Swiss chard stems, leeks and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and season with salt. When the water has evaporated and the stems and leeks are soft, add the leaves. Season the leaves with salt and saute until they are very soft and wilted. Remove from the heat and allow the Swiss chard to cool.
• In a large bowl combine the ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, cayenne and the Swiss chard mixture. Mix to thoroughly combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed (it will). Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let warm up for about 10 to 15 minutes, this will make it really much easier to roll out.
• Dust a large clean work surface with flour and roll the dough into a large circle about 1/4 to 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a large sheet try lined with parchment paper. Lay the dough out flat, don't worry about the overhang on the sides. Put the filling in a large circle in the center of the rolled out dough leaving a 3 to 4-inch border of dough along the outside edge. Fold the dough up around the filling to make a "free-form pie". Brush the top of the dough with egg wash and bake in the preheated oven until the crust is firm, golden brown and shiny, about 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing, this will allow it to up for easier slicing.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.
• What a delightful lunch!!!

SWISS CHARD RICOTTA GNUDI WITH FALL MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• For gnudi:
• Cut chard leaves from each side of center stem. Cut stems into matchsticksize strips. Cover and refrigerate stems; reserve for sauce.
• Cook chard leaves in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain; cool. Squeeze chard leaves until very dry; place in processor. Using on/off turns, finely chop chard. Add ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, shallot, egg, coarse salt, pepper, and nutmeg; process to blend. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup flour; stir to blend. Cover and refrigerate dough overnight.
• For broth:
• Bring chicken broth, sliced shallots, and mushroom stems to boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until mixture is reduced to 3 cups, 35 to 40 minutes. Strain. Return broth to saucepan; discard solids in strainer. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before continuing. Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat; add sliced mushroom caps. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté until mushrooms are tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add reserved thinly sliced chard stems and sauté until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. do ahead Mushrooms and chard stems can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon some flour onto large plate. Working in batches, drop heaping teaspoonfuls gnudi dough (size of small walnuts) onto plate with flour to form about 36 gnudi. Using floured hands, gently shape each into 1 1/2-inch-long, 1/2-inch-thick oval. Tap off excess flour; transfer gnudi to prepared baking sheet. do ahead Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Bring large wide pot of salted water to boil. Slide gnudi into pot; cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot broth. Season broth to taste with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
• Divide mushrooms and chard stems among 6 bowls. Add broth, dividing equally (about 1/2 cup each). Using slotted spoon, divide gnudi among bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve immediately.
• What to drink:
• Fruity and earthy Michele Chiarlo 2006 "Le Orme" Barbera d'Asti Superiore, Italy ($11).

SWISS CHARD GNUDI WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Dust a rimmed baking sheet with flour. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the Swiss chard and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the chard with tongs and transfer it to a kitchen towel. (Reserve the pot of water.) Squeeze the chard dry in the towel, then transfer it to a food processor and process until finely chopped.
• Combine the chard, ricotta, Parmesan, whole egg and egg yolks, grated lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Mix in the flour until just combined. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, then gently shake the pan to coat the gnudi in flour. Freeze at least 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until the garlic is golden, about 3 minutes. Remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and reserve. Increase the heat to high; add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, until they begin to pop. Reduce the heat to medium; stir in the tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, the lemon zest strips and reserved garlic. Cook, crushing the tomatoes, until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes; stir in the lemon juice. Remove the strips of lemon zest. Divide the sauce among bowls.
• Return the pot of water to a low boil. Working in two batches, gently add the gnudi and cook until they float, then cook 1 minute longer for a total of about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the bowls. Drizzle with olive oil and top with Parmesan.

PASTA WITH SWISS CHARD BACON AND LEMONY RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. When the water comes to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, preheat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the olive oil and bacon, and cook until the bacon crisps, about 3 minutes.
• To the bacon add the garlic, onions, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the onions are lightly caramelized.
• Add the chopped Swiss chard, toss to coat, and wilt the chard down.
• Turn the heat up to high and add the chicken stock. When the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 6 to 7 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the ricotta with the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Place ¼ cup of the ricotta mixture in the bottom of 4 bowls. Set aside.
• Add the lemon juice to the Swiss chard. Drain the pasta well and toss with the greens for a minute to let the juices absorb into the pasta.
• Turn the heat off and add the grated Parmesan cheese and toss to distribute. Serve immediately, dishing it up on top of the ricotta cheese. Stir before eating.

SAUTEED SWISS CHARD WITH MUSHROOMS AND ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic; cook and stir until onion is translucent and mushrooms soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in Swiss chard, red pepper, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook until Swiss chard is wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in white wine; cook until Swiss chard is tender, 3 to 4 minutes more.

SWISS-CHARD-AND-RICOTTA GALETTE

Steps:

• Crust: Pulse flour, oats, and salt in a food processor to combine. Add butter, cream cheese, and egg yolk; pulse until dough just holds together, 15 to 20 seconds.
• Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and flatten into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Filling: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add chard stems, onion, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until stems are soft and slightly brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add vinegar and cook, stirring, until liquid is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in raisins. Transfer mixture to a nonreactive bowl.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high. Add anchovies, if using; cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute. Stir in thyme. Add chard leaves and cook until slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat both cheeses with 2 tablespoons cream until smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in nutmeg; season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a large sheet of parchment, roll out dough to a 1/8-inch-thick round, about 15 inches in diameter. Arrange onion mixture evenly over dough, leaving a 3-inch border. Spread ricotta mixture over onion mixture; top with chard mixture. Fold edges of dough over and gently press down to seal. Transfer tart (still on parchment) to a baking sheet. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat together egg yolk and remaining 1 tablespoon cream. Brush exposed dough with egg wash. Bake until crust is golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SWISS CHARD AND RICOTTA CORNMEAL CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Pizza Dough:.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer (warmed with hot water and wiped dry), combine yeast with 1/2 cup warm water; stir with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Stir in 1 cup flour (mixture will become thick and stiff). Cover with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Add oil, milk, salt and 1 cup warm water. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with paddle attachment. With mixer on low, slowly add remaining flour and cornmeal. Mix into a soft dough. Change to a dough hook; knead 15 minutes, until sticky.
• Form dough into a ball. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until dough has doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Punch down dough, knead a few times and reshape into a ball. Return to bowl, cover and let sit until nearly doubled, about 40 minutes. Divide into 4 balls; reserve 2 for later use.
• Using your hands, stretch a ball of dough into a disk; using a rolling pin, roll into a thin 10-inch circle. Transfer to a heavy baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. Repeat with other ball of dough.
• Pizza Topping:.
• Strip Swiss chard leaves from stems. Chop stems, tear leaves; set aside, separated. Place bacon in sauté pan; set over medium heat. Cook until fat has rendered and bacon just begins to brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Pour off all but a little fat from the pan; add garlic. Cook until golden, 2-3 minutes. Add Swiss chard stems. Cook 8-10 minutes, until softened. Add leaves and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 450°; Divide greens evenly between the 2 pizzas, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Crumble ricotta over the top. Sprinkle with Parmesan,mozarella (if using) and bacon. Bake until brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes, rotating pans halfway through cooking. Sprinkle with sea salt and red pepper flakes before serving.