Orecchiette Wcaramelized Onions Sugar Peasricotta Cheese Recipes

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 W/CARAMELIZED ONIONS, SUGAR PEAS/RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions.
• Saute until onions are pale golden, about 6 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium; saute onions until tender and deep golden, about 15 minutes longer.
• Transfer 3/4 cup sauteed onions to a small bowl;reserve for another dish.
• Add peas to onions in skillet.
• Saute until peas are crisp tender, about 3 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid.
• Add pasta and 1/2 cup cooking liquid to onion mixture; stir over medium high heat 30 seconds.
• Mix in ricotta, basil (if using), lemon peel and lots of black pepper, adding more cooking liquid to moisten as needed.
• Season with either of Mrs Dash's seasonings, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), to taste.

STEP-BY-STEP ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Mound semolina and all-purpose flours and salt in 3 separate piles on a large, clean work surface.
• Using your fingers, swirl ingredients together until combined.
• Gather flour mixture into a pile, and create a well in center. Pour 1/2 cup water into well.
• Gradually incorporate flour mixture into water using your fingers.
• Once all the water is absorbed, continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture begins to form a dough.
• Start to gather and knead dough, working it until no dry flour remains on work surface.
• Continue to knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Divide dough into 16 equal portions, and cover them with a clean, damp kitchen towel.
• Roll 1 portion of dough into an 18-inch-long rope.
• Use a knife to cut and drag a 1/3-inch piece of dough from end of rope facing you -- a grainy wooden cutting board helps grip the dough.
• Holding knife at a 45-degree angle to work surface, press and roll dough toward you.
• Unfurl each piece of dough over your thumb in the opposite direction to form a concave shape, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lightly sprinkled with semolina flour. Repeat with remaining dough. Orecchiette can be stored at room temperature in a single layer overnight; cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

CHICKEN ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Cook pasta with salt according to package directions.
• Drain and place hot pasta in mixing bowl.
• Pour olive oil and balsamic vinegar over pasta. Add tomatoes, bell peppers, scallions, and chicken; Toss well.
• Add basil, salt, pepper, feta, and Parmesan cheese.
• Toss well and serve immediately.

SMASHED PEAS & RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• To a medium pot over medium heat, add oil, then butter and onion.
• Saute onion bits for 2 minutes, then add frozen peas and raise the heat a bit.
• Stir peas to heat them through and allow their water to evaporate.
• When peas are heated through add ricotta and parsley to the pan and smash cheese together with the peas.
• Add lemon zest.
• Season mixture with salt and pepper and serve.
• Enjoy!