Cavatelli With Arugula And Tomato Recipes

CAVATELLI WITH GORGONZOLA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli and cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water, then drain well.
• Meanwhile, add the pancetta and olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the pancetta is crispy, about 8 minutes. Add the shallots and cook another minute until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and season with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the cavatelli to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Scatter the Gorgonzola over the pasta and stir to combine. Continue to stir, adding pasta water as needed, until a light creamy sauce is formed. Add the spinach and toss to combine. Cook for another minute, until the spinach is just barely wilted. Serve hot.

HOMEMADE CAVATELLI PASTA

Steps:

• Mix semolina flour and salt in a large bowl or on a marble work surface. Make a well in the center.
• Pour water into the well a little at a time, mixing it with the flour. Add as much water as needed to make a sticky but compact dough.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is elastic and smooth, but not too soft, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using. If you are using the cavatelli within a few hours or the following day, wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
• Work with one portion of the dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered to keep it from drying out. Dust a work surface with semolina flour; roll out the dough to make a rope, about 1/3 inch thick.
• Cut off little 1/3-inch-thick pieces. Press and gently drag the small piece of dough towards you with your index and middle finger. The two sides will curl inwards, leaving hollow spaces.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer cavatelli to a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap cavatelli or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.

CAVATELLI WITH ARUGULA AND TOMATO

Steps:

• 1 In a skillet large enough to hold all of the ingredients, cook the garlic in the oil over medium heat until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. 2 Bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pasta and salt to taste. Stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. 3 Stir the pasta into the tomato sauce with half of the cheese. Add the arugula and stir well. Add a little of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems too dry. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CAVATELLI WITH ARUGULA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, or, if using plum tomatoes, cut them into 1/2-inch chunks, to have 3 cups of cut-up fresh tomato.
• Start heating 6 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon of salt in a large pot.
• In the big skillet, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil, sliced garlic, and peperoncino over medium-high heat, stirring, until the garlic is sizzling and starting to color. Pour in the cut tomatoes, season with a teaspoon salt, and bring to a bubbling simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, about 3 or 4 minutes, just until the tomatoes have softened a bit and the juices are slightly thickened. Turn off the heat.
• When the pasta water is boiling, stir in the cavatelli or other pasta. Return to the boil, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes (or 6 minutes less than time indicated on the package), then drop all the arugula into the pot. Stir well, cover, and bring the water back to the boil rapidly. Cook pasta and arugula together for 5 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly al dente.
• Meanwhile, bring the cut tomatoes in the skillet back to a simmer. Lift out the pasta and cooked greens with a spider, drain for a moment, then drop into the skillet. Cook over high heat, tossing continuously, until the pan juices have thickened and nicely coat the pasta. Turn off the heat, sprinkle the grated cheese over the pasta, and toss. Drizzle on more olive oil, toss, and serve immediately in warm bowls.