Cavatelli With Asparagus Recipes

CAVATELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the woody stems from the asparagus in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer the pureed asparagus to a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl. Let the juices drain, 5 to 10 minutes, pressing down lightly on the puree with a wooden spoon occasionally. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the ricotta, Parmesan and 1 tablespoon lemon juice with some salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest and set aside.
• Once the water has boiled, add the cavatelli and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic, then add the sliced asparagus and saute until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the cavatelli directly into the skillet with the asparagus. Add about half of the asparagus juice and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Add the remaining asparagus juice and the remaining tablespoon lemon juice and cook until the pasta is glossy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with Pecorino-Romano, lemon zest, dollops of the whipped ricotta, basil and black pepper.

CAVATELLI WITH GLAZED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; make a well in the center. Add 1 cup ricotta and the egg to the well; gradually mix into the flour with a fork to form a shaggy dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a smooth ball. Wrap in a kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blanch the vegetables: Prepare a bowl of salted ice water. Bring a medium saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Add the scallions; boil until bright green, about 30 seconds. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the ice water. Boil the radishes, then the asparagus, cooking each until bright but still firm, 2 to 3 minutes, then plunging into the ice water. Drain the vegetables and set aside.
• On a clean, dry surface, form the cavatelli (see instructions below).
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli; cook until they float and are tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl (reserve the pasta water) and toss with 2 tablespoons butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover to keep warm.
• Melt another 2 tablespoons butter with 3 to 4 tablespoons pasta water in a skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetables; toss until warm and glazed. Season with salt and pepper. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and more pasta water to make a light sauce. Toss with the cavatelli; serve topped with dollops of the remaining 1/2 cup ricotta.
• Cavatelli:
• 1. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Work with one piece of dough at a time; cover the rest with a towel.
• 2. Roll the dough into a long 1/2 inch-thick rope, working from the center to the edges to maintain an even thickness as you go.
• 3. Cut the rope into 1/4-inch-wide pieces (we used a pastry scraper), pressing down and pushing away with each cut so the piece curls slightly.
• Photography by Con Poulos

CAVATELLI AND BROCCOLI OR ASPARAGUS (BUDDY VALASTRO)

Steps:

• Blanch broccoli or asparagus for 2 minutes, plunge in ice water.
• In same boiling water you cooked vegetables in, cook pasta.
• Heat oil in skillet, add garlic and cook til light brown.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add vegetables to the oil mixture.
• Add drained pasta to the oil/veg mixture.
• Toss to coat and grate fresh parmesan cheese over top.
• Can add a cooked and diced chicken breast.