Peasantpastafitforaking Recipes

PEASANT PASTA ( FIT FOR A KING)

Steps:

• Put the stock in a pot with the chickpeas, garlic, herbs and chicken pieces.
• Bring liquid to the boil, add pasta.
• Cook till pasta is done.
• Serve with grated parmesan cheese and drizzle with good olive oil.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 1/4 cup water and yeast. Let stand until yeast is foamy, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup more water and sponge; mix on low speed using paddle, about 2 minutes. Add flours, salt, and remaining water; mix 1 minute more. Using dough hook, mix on medium-low speed, pulling dough from hook 2 or 3 times, until dough is soft and sticks to fingers when squeezed, about 8 minutes. Or knead by hand, 15 to 20 minutes.
• On a floured surface, knead dough into a ball by hand, 4 or 5 turns. Place smooth side up in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until tripled in bulk, about 3 hours.
• Turn dough onto floured surface. Flour top, and cut in half. Roll up one piece of dough lengthwise, flatten slightly, and roll lengthwise again. On an unfloured surface, cup your hands around the sides of the dough and move it in small, circular motions, until top of dough is rounded and bottom is smooth. Flour a piece of parchment, and place dough on it; cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap, then cover with a towel. Repeat process with second piece of dough. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 50 minutes. 30 minutes before this final rise is completed, place a baking stone or baking sheet in the oven and an empty baking pan on the lowest shelf; heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Sprinkle dough with flour, and dimple the surface with your fingertips; let rise 10 minutes more. Using a baker's peel or baking sheet, slide loaves and parchment onto the baking stone or baking sheet. Pour 2 cups very hot water into the heated baking pan to create steam. Bake until dark golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Light or Medium Crust cycle; press Start. For a crispier crust, use the French cycle or turn machine off after first rise and start the cycle over.

PASTA AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the green onions, and season with seasoned salt. Cook until green onions are golden brown. Mix in the peas with liquid and basil, and continue cooking until heated through. Toss with cooked pasta to serve.

PEASANT POTATOES

Steps:

• Slice sausage into 3/4 inch thick slices.
• Cut potatoes into cubes 1 1/2 to 2 inch pieces.
• Dice or slice red pepper.
• Melt butter over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic, cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
• Stir in sausage and oregano.
• Cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in potatoes, and add salt and pepper to taste, mix well.
• Transfer to crock-pot or slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours stirring every hour.
• Add cabbage and bell pepper last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Top with parmesan cheese before serving.