Cream Of Peas Raisin Bread Gnocchetti And Fresh Goat Cheese Recipes

GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI - GIADA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Brush them with olive oil.
• Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Blend the goat cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
• Add the parsley, thyme, and lemon peel.
• Using the on/off button, pulse just to blend.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (I use kosher salt & fresh-ground pepper).
• Spread the cheese mixture over the crostini.
• Sprinkle with the olives, chives, and more pepper. Arrange the toasts on a platter and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The crostini and cheese mixture can each be prepared 2 days ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese mixture. Let the cheese mixture stand at room temperature for 1 hour to soften slightly before spreading over the crostini.

AGNOLOTTI WITH SWEET PEAS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For filling:
• Combine 1/2 cup cream (for fresh peas) or 3 tablespoons cream (for frozen), sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Add peas and cook until tender, about 10 minutes for fresh and 3 minutes for frozen. Transfer mixture to processor and purée until smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally, about 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl; mix in both cheeses and thyme. Chill filling at least 1 hour. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
• For piedmontese pasta dough:
• Blend flour and salt in processor. Add yolks, whole egg, and olive oil; process until soft dough forms, adding water by tablespoonfuls if dry. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap; let rest at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Cut dough into 4 equal pieces. Turn pasta machine to widest setting. Flatten 1 dough piece into rectangle. Cover remaining dough pieces with plastic wrap. Run dough through machine 4 times. Adjust machine to next narrower setting. Run dough through machine 4 times. Repeat running dough strip through machine 4 times on each narrower setting, cutting dough strip in half crosswise for easier handling when strip becomes very long and dusting dough with flour as needed if sticky. Continue rolling until pasta strips are 22 to 24 inches long, dusting lightly with flour as needed. Repeat rolling with remaining 3 dough pieces. Let dough strips dry slightly on floured work surface until no longer sticky to touch for easier handling, about 10 minutes.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; dust lightly with flour. Cut each dough strip into 3-inch squares (about 8 from each dough strip). Place 1 teaspoon filling in center of each square. Brush 2 adjacent dough edges with water; fold 1 long side over filling, enclosing filling and pressing to seal, forming rectangle. Transfer to prepared baking sheets, arranging in single layer. Do ahead Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover with towel and let stand at room temperature.
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat; remove from heat. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add half of agnolotti and cook just until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer agnolotti to large sieve and drain well, then add to skillet with butter. Repeat with remaining agnolotti. Toss agnolotti over medium-high heat until coated with butter and heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle lightly with chopped thyme. Divide among 6 bowls; sprinkle with Parmesan shavings and serve.

CREAM OF PEAS, RAISIN BREAD GNOCCHETTI, AND FRESH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Brown the scallion in the butter. Add the potatoes and sauté until they are light golden in color. Add the peas (save a few for garnish), then about a cup of the stock, and let it all simmer for about 15 minutes, until soft. Add more stock if necessary. It should be liquidy.
• Meanwhile, for the gnocchetti, sweat the leek in butter. Stir in the bread and season with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Place the mixture in a small bowl and mix in just enough beaten egg to make it slightly wet. Scoop out small quarter-size balls, place in the palm of your hand, and gently squeeze down till compressed to mold into gnocchetti (baby gnocchi).
• Make sure the peas and potatoes are soft and pour the mixture through a sieve, pressing the vegetables through with a rubber spatula. The pressing should yield about a cup or a cup and a half. Add a little more stock if the soup is too thick. Strain again if necessary and pour into a small saucepan. Drop in several gnocchetti, cover, and heat through at low heat for a few minutes until piping hot.
• Pour carefully into a heated soup bowl, to keep those little babies intact. Garnish with the fresh peas, tomato, goat cheese, a drizzle of an excellent extra virgin olive oil, and chopped chervil.
• *Beautiful with the wonderfully crafted Vieris Isonzo Sauvignon from Gianfranco Gallo's Vie di Romans property.