Pasta E Fagiole With Extra Large Sea Scallops And Basil Oil From The Oyster Bars Sandy Ingber Recipes

PASTA-E-FAGIOLI PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain. Meanwhile, finely chop onion, and tear pale inner leaves of escarole to yield 4 cups (reserving the rest for another use).
• Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute. Add beans and their liquid, broth, and 1/4 cup pasta water (or a bit more, if you prefer your pasta creamier); simmer until slightly reduced, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in pasta, cheese, and 3 cups escarole; season to taste. Drizzle remaining 1 cup escarole with oil; season to taste. Serve pasta topped with dressed escarole, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with more cheese.

PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Make the simmered beans as directed, changing only the amount of beans (use 2 quarts water). Remove onion and bay leaf, using tongs or a slotted spoon, as directed. Place a strainer over a bowl and drain beans. Measure broth and top up with enough water to make 6 cups.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven and add chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add rosemary and garlic and stir together for another minute, until garlic is fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, add sugar, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down and the mixture is very fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add broth from the beans, tomato paste, hot pepper, bouquet garni, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in beans and heat through. Taste and adjust salt.
• 10 to 15 minutes before serving, stir in pasta. When it is cooked al dente, taste and adjust seasonings, stir in parsley, and serve, passing Parmesan in a bowl.