Warm Robiola Cheese With Pine Nuts Olives And Golden Raisins Recipes

ROBIOLA-CHEESE-FILLED RAVIOLI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine cheeses, parsley, egg, and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir until smooth. Set aside.
• To use filling for ravioli, place fresh pasta on a lightly floured work surface and use a sharp knife or pizza cutter and ruler to trim the pasta into 3-inch squares.
• Transfer filling to a pastry bag, and pipe 2 teaspoons Robiola filling in the center of each square. Lightly brush or spray the edges of each square with water and cover with another pasta square. Press the pasta with your fingertips to seal the ball of Robiola inside, making sure to press out all of the air. Trim the edges with a zigzag pasta wheel and set on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet lightly dusted with flour or cornmeal. Continue with the remaining pasta and filling until all the squares are filled.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ravioli and cook until they rise to the surface, 3 to 5 minutes, then cook for 1 minute longer or until the centers are cooked through and the pasta is al dente. Remove with a skimmer or slotted spoon to a large bowl. Once they are all removed, drain any water from the bowl.

SICILIAN PEPPERS, RAISINS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Chop whole onions. Saute onions in hot oil in a nonstick pan until soft.
• Meanwhile, slice whole peppers in a food processor, and add to the onions, cooking over medium heat until they begin to soften.
• Stir in raisins, pine nuts, salt and pepper, and continue to cook until peppers are softened.

WARM MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Drain the green and black olives from the brine or oil that they're packed in and place them in a medium bowl. Add the orange zest, garlic, fennel seeds, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture, add the thyme sprigs and toss to combine.
• Transfer the mixture, including the olive oil, to a medium (10-inch) sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to sizzle. Lower the heat and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the olives and garlic are heated through and fragrant. Serve warm right from the pan or transfer to a serving dish. Offer a small dish for the pits.

BRAISED ESCAROLE WITH OLIVES AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the oil, shallots, garlic and pepper flakes, if using, then season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until the shallots are soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the olives and raisins and stir to combine. Add the chopped escarole and season with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and coat the escarole in the flavors. Cover with the lid and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid has evaporated and the greens are tender, another 3 minutes.

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH ROBIOLA CHEESE AND PESTO

Steps:

• Sprinkle the cut sides of the eggplants with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Place cut side down on paper towels and let drain for 1 hour. Rinse and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, place the basil, garlic, pine nuts, 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cheese and pulse just until combined. The mixture can be made ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving.
• Start a charcoal grill. Brush the vegetables on both sides with the remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with thyme. Grill the vegetables until crisp-tender. Mound the cheese mixture in the center of a platter and surround with the grilled vegetables. Serve.

SAUTEED SPINACH WITH GOLD RAISINS AND TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the oil and heat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute until softened. Add the raisins and cook until warm, about 1 minute. Add the pine nuts, increase the heat, and add the sherry vinegar. Stir with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Add the butter and melt, then add the spinach and stir or toss with tongs until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.