Baked Fregola Casserole Recipes

PAULA DEAN'S BAKED FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
• In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
• Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine all ingredients for the Praline Topping in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
• Serve with maple syrup.

BAKED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PARMESAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Pour oil into 13x9x2-inch broilerproof ceramic baking dish.
• Add tomatoes, turn to coat with oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Top with parsley and cheese.
• Preheat oven to 400.
• Bake tomatoes just until plump and shiny but not split, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat broiler.
• Broil until tomatoes begin to split and cheese begins to color, about 2 minutes.
• Serve hot or warm.

BAKED FREGOLA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Pour the olive oil into the skillet, and set it over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scatter the diced pancetta in the pan, and let it cook and render its fat, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown, 3 or 4 minutes.
• Drop in the cherry tomatoes and bay leaves, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and peperoncino, and pour in 1/2 cup water. Cover the skillet, bring the water to a simmer, then set the cover slightly ajar and cook just until the water evaporates and the tomatoes pop open and release their juices, about 10 minutes. (If the pan dries before the tomatoes pop, add another 1/4 cup water.) Turn off the heat; remove and discard the bay leaves.
• Meanwhile, heat 4 quarts of water with 2 teaspoons salt to a rolling boil in the pasta pot. Stir in the fregola, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Empty the pot into a colander or large strainer to catch the fregola. Spill them into the skillet, and stir the pasta, tomatoes, and pancetta together until thoroughly blended.
• Heat the oven to 400°, and brush the bottom and sides of the baking dish with olive oil. Pour all the sauced fregola into the dish, and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top, and set the dish in the oven. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crisp on the edges.
• Serve piping hot. Spoon the fregola into warm bowls as an appetizer, or, to serve family-style, put the baking dish on the table.