Pasta Shell Risotto With Broccoli Rabe Recipes

SHELLS WITH BROCCOLI RABE & PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large (11 by 5 1/2-inch) pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Remove and discard the bottom third of the broccoli rabe and slice the rest crosswise in 2-inch pieces. When the water boils, cook the broccoli rabe for 2 to 3 minutes, until just tender. With a wire skimmer or tongs, lift the broccoli rabe (don't drain the pot!) into a large bowl and set aside. Bring the water back to a boil, add the shells, and cook al dente according to the directions on the package. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid, drain the pasta, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) sauté pan, add the pancetta, and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is browned. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add the broccoli rabe and red pepper flakes and toss well. Add the cooked shells, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper and toss. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes, until all the ingredients are heated through, adding enough of the reserved cooking water so the pasta isn't dry. Serve hot in large shallow bowls with a large dollop of ricotta and drizzled with olive oil, and with grated Parmesan on the side.

RISOTTO WITH PORCINI AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Make the broth:
• In a large kettle or stockpot combine the carcass with the water, or enough to cover it, and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 3 hours. Strain the broth through a large sieve into a large bowl, discarding the solids, return it to the kettle, and boil it until it is reduced to about 10 cups. Reserve 8 cups of the broth and transfer the remaining broth to a container for another use. The broth may be made 1 week in advance and kept covered and chilled if it is brought to a boil every 2 days and then allowed to cool to warm, uncovered, before being chilled again. The broth keeps, frozen, for 3 months.
• In a small bowl let the < I>porcini soak in the hot water for 30 minutes and strain the soaking liquid through a rinsed and squeezed paper towel set over a cup, reserving it. Wash the porcini under cold water to remove any grit and chop them coarse. Trim the broccoli rabe, discarding any yellow or coarse leaves and the tough stem ends. Peel the large stems, cut off the flowerets, reserving them, and cut the stems and the leaves crosswise into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Bring the reserved 8 cups broth to a boil, add the broccoli rabe stems, leaves, and reserved flowerets, and simmer the mixture for 4 minutes, or until the broccoli rabe is just tender. Transfer the broccoli rabe with a skimmer to a bowl and keep the broth at a bare simmer.
• In a large saucepan cook the onion and the porcini in the butter over moderate heat, stirring, until the onion is softened and add the rice, stirring until it is coated well with the butter. Add the wine and the reserved porcini soaking liquid and cook the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed. Add about 1/2 cup of the simmering broth and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the broth is absorbed. Continue cooking the mixture and adding the broth, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting each portion be absorbed before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still al dente. (The rice should take about 20 minutes to become al dente.) Stir in the broccoli rabe and simmer the risotto, stirring, until it is heated through. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste.

BROCCOLI RABE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Blanch the broccoli rabe, and then immediately shock in an ice bath. Remove from the ice and set aside.
• Heat the chicken stock in a medium saucepan and keep warm on the stove. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and the olive oil in a medium high-sided saute pan, and cook the garlic and shallots, sprinkling with salt and black pepper, until soft. Stir in the rice, tossing to coat, and cook 1 minute. Pour in the wine and cook until completely reduced.
• Add 2 cups of the hot stock and cook until absorbed. Continue adding 1 cup of the stock at a time, stirring often, until all the liquid is absorbed. (You may not need all of the stock.) Cook until the rice is al dente, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the broccoli rabe to combine, and then stir in the Parmesan and remaining butter until melted. Adjust the seasoning and serve with the Piquillo Pepper Salsa alongside. Garnish with bull's blood, chervil sprigs and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
• Combine the piquillo peppers, olives, olive oil, parsley, vinegar and thyme in a small bowl. Season with salt and black pepper and serve with the risotto.

PASTA-SHELL RISOTTO WITH BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Bring broth, water, and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan, then reduce heat and keep at a bare simmer.
• Trim tough stem ends from broccoli rabe, then cut remaining stems crosswise into 1-inch pieces and reserve. Coarsely chop florets and leaves.
• Heat oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté onion with 1/2 teaspoon salt until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and sauté 1 minute, then add pasta, broccoli rabe stems, and 3/4 cup hot broth and simmer briskly, stirring constantly, until broth is absorbed. Continue simmering and adding hot broth, about 3/4 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until pasta is almost al dente and creamy-looking, 12 to 13 minutes. Stir in remaining broccoli rabe and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until pasta is al dente and broccoli rabe is just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. (If needed, add more hot broth to moisten; there will be some broth left over.) Stir in cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with more cheese on the side.