Whole Wheat Pasta With Peppers Tomatoes And Olives Food

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA WITH PEPPERS, TOMATOES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Fry the peppers, onion, garlic, marjoram, salt, black pepper and hot pepper flakes, stirring often, until saucy and very tender, about 18 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, olives and vinegar.
• Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until tender but firm, about 8 minutes.
• Drain and return to the pot, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.
• Add the pepper mixture and parsley; toss to coat, adding enough of the reserved pasta water to moisten.
• Serve topped with parmesan cheese.

WHOLE-WHEAT PASTA WITH PECORINO AND PEPPER

Steps:

• Toast peppercorns in a dry small skillet over medium-high heat, shaking skillet, until fragrant and beginning to pop, 2 to 3 minutes. Coarsely crush peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or wrap in a kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and press with bottom of a heavy skillet.
• Cook spaghetti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente.
• Meanwhile, fill a large ceramic bowl with hot water to warm it. Just before pasta is done cooking, drain bowl but do not dry.
• Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water, then quickly drain pasta (do not shake off excess water) and add to warm bowl. Sprinkle 1 1/4 cups cheese and 1/2 cup cooking water evenly over pasta and toss quickly. Toss in parsley (if using) and 2 teaspoons crushed pepper. If pasta seems dry, toss with some additional cooking water. Serve pasta immediately, sprinkled with remaining pepper and cheese. Serve additional cheese on the side.

WHOLE-WHEAT PASTA SALAD WITH GRILLED ZUCCHINI AND OLIVES

Steps:

• In a large bowl gently stir together tomatoes, onion, garlic paste, vinegar, and 1/4 cup oil
• Brush one side of zucchini slices lightly with additional oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat a well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderate heat until hot and grill zucchini, oiled sides down, in batches, brushing tops with more oil before turning, 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until just tender but not soft. Transfer zucchini as grilled to a small bowl.
• In a kettle of salted boiling water cook pasta until just tender and drain well. Add hot pasta to tomato mixture and toss well. Cool pasta slightly and stir in zucchini, olives, cheese, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Pasta may be made 4 hours ahead and kept covered at room temperature.
• Serve pasta warm or at room temperature.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES, CAPERS, OLIVES AND BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the sliced garlic over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan or skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic turns golden, about two minutes. Do not let it take on any more color than this. Remove the garlic slices with a slotted spoon and discard, then add the bread crumbs to the pan. Turn the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until the bread crumbs are crisp. Remove from the heat, and set aside.
• Return the pan to medium heat, and add the remaining olive oil, the red pepper flakes and the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic smells fragrant, and add the tomatoes, capers and olives. Bring to a simmer, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the spaghetti. Cook al dente, following the cooking recommendations on the package but checking about a minute before the suggested time. Drain, and toss with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and parsley on top, toss again briefly and serve, passing the Parmesan at the table.