Ziti With Red Peppers Olives Artichokes And Gorgonzola Food

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA W/ ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cook penne according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add the peppers, artichokes and tomatoes and cook, stirring frequently, until veggies start to give off some liquid. About 15 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, olives (if using), oregano, salt and pepper and stir. Cook for 1-2 minutes to combine the flavors.
• When penne is done, drain and add to the vegetables. Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Add another squeeze of lemon, extra dash of salt, or perhaps a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
• Serve with some crusty bread of course!

PASTA WITH FRESH ARTICHOKES, OLIVES, & GUIANCIALE

Steps:

• In a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat until sizzling.
• Add the chopped artichokes, and cook, stirring often, until the artichokes begin to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes, then add the guanciale or pancetta, and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 6 to 7 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook an additional minute or two or until fragrant.
• Add the tomatoes, paste, water, oregano, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and basil, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the artichokes are fork tender, and the sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in the olives.
• You may need to add a little additional water if the sauce thickens too much.
• While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• Drain the pasta and return to the pot.
• Add half the sauce to the pasta pot and toss until mixed.
• Serve the pasta in individual bowls with an added scoop of sauce on top, a sprinkling of parsley and some grated cheese.

ZITI WITH ROASTED PEPPERS, GREEN OLIVES, AND SPICY SALAMI

Steps:

• Char bell peppers directly over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose peppers in paper bag and cool completely. Peel, stem, and seed peppers. Cut peppers lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• With machine running, drop garlic and shallot through processor feed tube and chop coarsely. Add olives, parsley, olive oil, and oregano and chop finely. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Peppers and olive mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate separately. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Return pasta to pot; stir in peppers and olive mixture. Add salami and cheese; toss to combine. Serve warm or let stand at room temperature up to 2 hours.
• Buyer's guide:
• Look for brined green olives (not canned) in bins or jars in the supermarket's deli section. Spicy salami is widely available at Italian delis and at some supermarkets. The test kitchen used Piller's Caliente Salamil call 323-588-2100 or go to pillers.com to find a store in your area.

BEST ZITI EVER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat marinara with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
• Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

BAKED RIGATONI WITH RED PEPPERS AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until onion is slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add roasted red peppers and salt; season with black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is jammy, 8-10 minutes. Add olives, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until tomato paste is slightly darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, and their liquid and cook, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
• While sauce is cooking, place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente (about 2 minute less than package directions; pasta will continue to cook in the oven). Drain pasta, reserving ⅓ cup pasta cooking liquid.
• Add pasta and reserved pasta cooking liquid to sauce. Reduce heat to medium and stir in butter, oregano, and half of Parmesan. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and glossy and coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half of mozzarella.
• Transfer pasta to a 13x9" baking dish and spread into an even layer. Scatter remaining Parmesan and mozzarella over. Bake until bubbling around the edges, 15-20 minutes.
• Heat broiler. Broil pasta until top is brown and crisp in spots, about 3 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then top with basil for serving.

GORGONZOLA ZITI

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
• Meanwhile, combine bread crumbs, 4 tablespoons green onions and butter in small bowl. Set aside.
• Place remaining green onions, milk, cream cheese and Gorgonzola cheese in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted--about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add cooked pasta, salt, pepper, and garlic powder; mix lightly.
• Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture. Serve immediately.