Ziti With Asparagus Smoked Mozzarella And Prosciutto Recipes

ZITI WITH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Following the directions on package, cook the ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water. 2 minutes before the ziti is done, add chopped asparagus to the pasta and water. When ziti is done, drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
• Add asparagus and pasta to the skillet. If needed, add some of the reserved cooking liquid. (I used almost all of it.) Toss to coat.
• Add the prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

SPAGHETTI WITH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. With a spider or slotted spoon, remove asparagus from boiling water to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop the cooking. When cool, strain, cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.
• Return the water in the pot to a boil, adding additional water, if necessary. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add asparagus to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta, and if needed, some of the reserved cooking liquid. Toss to coat. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ZITI WITH PROSCIUTTO AND TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil for cooking the ziti and vegetables.
• Cut the tomatoes in 1/2-inch cubes. There should be about 3 cups.
• Scrape the ends of the asparagus spears and cut off and discard about 2 inches of the tough bottoms. Cut off and reserve the asparagus tips, each about 2 inches long. Cut the center portion of the asparagus on the bias into 1-inch pieces. There should be about 4 cups of asparagus, including the tips.
• Stack the prosciutto slices and cut them in 1/4-inch-wide strips. There should be about 1 1/4 cups.
• Drop the asparagus pieces into the boiling water and cook 3 minutes. Scoop out the asparagus and set aside. Allow the water to continue to boil.
• To the boiling water add salt and the ziti. When the water returns to a boil cook the ziti to the desired degree of doneness, about 12 minutes or longer. Scoop out and reserve Y cup of the cooking liquid. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet and add the garlic. Cook briefly, stirring, and add the prosciutto, stirring. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add the cream and bring to a boil. Drain the ziti, add it to the prosciutto mixture and stir. Add the asparagus pieces and the basil. Add the reserved Y cup of cooking liquid. Stir to blend and sprinkle with cheese. Toss and serve.

SPAGHETTI WITH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the asparagus until tender crisp, about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove asparagus with a slotted dpoon and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
• When cool, strain the asparagus and cut into 1 inch pieces then set aside.
• Using the same pot, cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8 minutes (10-12 if using linguine).
• Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside.
• Drain the pasta.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
• Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, then add the proscuitto strips.
• Saute until the prosciutto is slightly crisp and add the asparagus, then season with salt if using and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Add the pasta to the saute pan as well as 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, and toss to coat.
• Add the smoked mozzarella and the fresh basil and continue to toss until combined, adding additional pasta water if necessary.
• Turn off the heat and continue to toss.
• The pasta will become creamy as the mozzarella starts to melt.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it renders some fat and begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook until the garlic just begins to soften, about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the wine. Return to the heat and cook until the wine evaporates slightly, about 2 more minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Add the cream and nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs, adding the asparagus during the last minute of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and asparagus.
• Add the cheese to the cream sauce and stir to combine. Add the pasta and asparagus and toss to coat, adding some of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with more cheese.