Gemelli With Asparagus And Pine Nuts Recipes

SEARED SCALLOP GEMELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, SNAP PEAS AND PECORINO

Steps:

• Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, and cook 3 minutes or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet, and drain on paper towels. Return skillet to cooktop, and add 2 tablespoons oil, onion, and garlic; cook, over medium-high heat, 5 minutes or until onion starts to soften, stirring occasionally. Add asparagus; cook 2 minutes or until bright green. Stir in peas, and cook 2 minutes. Add vermouth; cook 1 minute or until reduced to a glaze. Stir in tarragon and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle scallops with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add to skillet, and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until browned.
• Return large skillet to cooktop. Add cooked pasta and 2 tablespoons butter, and cook 1 minute or until butter melts. Remove skillet from heat, and stir in cheese, half of reserved pancetta, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Divide pasta among 4 bowls, top each evenly with scallops, and sprinkle with remaining pancetta.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread pine nuts in a small baking pan and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a small bowl to cool.
• Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
• Snap off the tough ends of asparagus.
• Toss the asparagus with shallot, oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet with sides.
• Roast, turning twice, until the asparagus is tender and browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring vinegar and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, swirling the pan occasionally, until slightly syrupy and reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 5 minutes.
• To serve, toss the asparagus with the reduced vinegar and sprinkle with the pine nuts.

GEMELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED SALMON, AND DILL

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water 8 minutes. Add asparagus and boil until asparagus is crisp-tender and pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes.
• While pasta is cooking, heat cream just to boiling in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, then stir in zest and remove from heat.
• Ladle out 1 cup pasta cooking water and reserve, then drain pasta and asparagus in a colander.
• Toss pasta and asparagus with cream, dill, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water in a large bowl (or in pasta pot). If pasta looks dry, moisten with some of remaining water. Add salmon and toss well.

SWISS-CHARD AND ALMOND PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet 8 to 10 minutes; when cool enough to handle, chop and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 1/4 cups pasta water; drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large straight-sided skillet, heat 1/4 cup oil, garlic, and red-pepper flakes over medium until garlic is just fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chard leaves and stems in a few batches and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until just wilted, 4 to 6 minutes. Add almonds, lemon zest and juice, and reserved pasta water. Add cooked pasta and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; toss to coat. Stir in pecorino; season with salt and black pepper. Serve with more cheese.