Orecchiette Pasta Carluccios Way Recipes

ORECCHIETTE WITH CLAMS, SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a separate large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and crumbled, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the clams and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook, removing the clams to a bowl as they open, 5 to 8 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.
• Add the pasta, 3/4 cup reserved cooking water, the roasted red peppers and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Simmer, stirring, until the liquid is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes, adding more cooking water as needed; season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the parsley. Add the clams and gently toss.

HOMEMADE ORECCHIETTE PASTA

Steps:

• Mix semolina flour and salt in a large bowl or on a marble work surface. Make a well in the center.
• Pour water into the well a little at a time, mixing it with the flour. Add as much water as needed to make a sticky but compact dough.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is elastic and smooth, but not too soft, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
• Work with one portion of dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered to keep it from drying out. Dust a work surface with semolina flour; roll out the dough to make a rope, about 1/3 inch thick.
• Cut off little 1/3-inch thick pieces. Pick up knife with a rounded tip. Carefully hold one side of the dough with your index finger. Hold the knife in your other hand. Gently drag the small piece of dough towards you. Lift up the knife by the end in such a way that you get a thicker edge. You'll obtain a small disk of dough, thinner in the centre. Press the disk gently against your thumb and it will curve.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer orecchiette onto a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap orecchiette or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, and cook, turning occasionally until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate and reserve pan and sausage drippings.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat. Add a large pinch of salt and broccoli rabe and cook, uncovered, until broccoli rabe is bright green and tender but still slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Immediately transfer broccoli rabe using tongs to a colander (reserve boiling water) and rinse under cold running water. Chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
• Add pasta to reserved boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (tender but not mushy), about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, heat reserved pan and drippings over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add broccoli rabe, pepper flakes, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; increase heat to medium-high, and cook, continually stirring, until broccoli rabe is hot and tender, about 5 minutes. Slice sausage into 1/4-inch thick coins and add to pan and mix well cook until sausage is warmed through, about 5 more minutes.
• Drain pasta in a colander in sink, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. Toss pasta and liquid with broccoli rabe mixture. Transfer pasta to a serving dish or individual bowls, garnish with Parmesean and serve.

ROASTED GARLIC AND SAUSAGE ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• For the roasted garlic: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Stack three 12-by-12-inch sheets of foil on top of each other. Place the garlic cloves on the foil and pull up the sides to create a bowl. Pour in the oil and sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pull up the sides to create a pouch and seal it so the oil doesn't leak out. Place in the oven and roast for 12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and smash the garlic with a fork into a smooth paste. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Fill a large saucepan with 3 quarts (12 cups) of water and add 2 1/4 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, then add the orecchiette and cook according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the olive oil, sausage, red pepper flakes and 2 1/4 teaspoons salt, and cook, breaking up the sausage, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli rabe, the cooking water and roasted garlic puree to the pan and stir vigorously.
• Stir in the cooked orecchiette. Stir in the Parmesan and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and the Parmesan melts, about 1 minute. Divide between plates and enjoy.