Fusilliwithgarbanzobeans Recipes

FUSILLI WITH GARBANZO BEANS

Steps:

• Cook pasta as label directs.
• Meanwhile, in 12 inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and cook, covered for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in garlic and oregano and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in beans, vinegar, salt and pepper; cook 5 minutes, stirring often.
• When pasta has cooked to desired doneness, remove 1 cup cooking water and reserve.
• Drain pasta; return to saucepot.
• Add spinach, bean mixture and reserved cooking water; toss gently to combine.
• Notes: I usually use the large corkscrew pasta istead of fusilli.
• Actually, I've made it with several kinds of pasta--whatever I have on hand.
• Even egg noodles worked fine.
• Strangely, fusilli was my least favorite pasta to make this with.
• Also, I use the chopped garlic that comes in a jar.
• And thawed, frozen spinach works fine--you'll need much less of the reserved water.

CREAMY FUSILLI WITH CARROTS, PEAS AND BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crunchy, 5 to 7 minutes. Set the toasted breadcrumbs aside in a small bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the peas and chicken stock to the skillet and simmer until the stock is hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the carrots and continue to simmer until the carrots are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. (This is a good time to boil your pasta.) Simmer until the reduces by one-fourth, about 5 minutes. Set the sauce aside; cover and keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and toss with the sauce, about half of the breadcrumbs and all of the mint.
• Divide the pasta into bowls and top with a sprinkle of the remaining breadcrumbs and some Parmigiano-Reggiano.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH PROSCIUTTO, GARBANZO BEANS AND ORZO

Steps:

• Bring the oil to medium-high heat in a medium, heavy-bottomed pot with a tightly fitting lid. Add the prosciutto and crisp until it is lightly golden and the fat renders, about 1 minute. Add the carrots, peppers and onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the orzo and rice. Toast until the grains are all evenly coated with oil, about 3 minutes.
• Pour the broth and lemon juice into the same pot. Bring to a boil. Add the garbanzos and bay leaf and stir to combine. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the orzo and rice are tender. Remove from the heat once the liquid is fully absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Let the pilaf stand, covered, for 5 full minutes. Fluff with two forks, remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the scallions and serve garnished with the basil and mint leaves.