Escarole With Pancetta Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH PANCETTA, ESCAROLE AND GARLIC CHIPS

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil and salt the water. Add the pasta and cook to al dente, with a bite to it.
• While the pasta is working, heat a large skillet over medium heat with the extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the skillet with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Ser aside. Turn the heat on the pan back to low then add the sliced garlic and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the garlic chips from the pan to drain alongside the crispy pancetta, reserve. Turn the heat up to medium again, add the crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Add the roughly chopped escarole, tossing to wilt it in the flavored oil and wilting it into the pan in stages. Once all the escarole has fit into the pan, add the chicken stock, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
• Drain the hot pasta well and add it to the escarole pan. Add lemon zest and toss to distribute. Turn the heat off and add the butter and cheese, toss to melt. Toss in the crispy pancetta and garlic chips. Serve the spaghetti with more cheese to pass at the table.

PANCETTA AND ESCAROLE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the escarole and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes; transfer to the bowl with the pancetta.
• Cook the penne in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
• Add the tomato sauce, half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

BRAISED ESCAROLE WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Cook 8 ounces chopped pancetta in a large pot over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add 1 sliced onion and 3 sliced garlic cloves to the pot and cook, stirring, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes; add to the pancetta. Increase the heat to high; add 3 heads chopped escarole, press down and cook, undisturbed, 4 minutes. Toss, season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until wilted, 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium high; stir in 3/4 cup white wine, then the pancetta mixture. Cook until reduced by half, 4 minutes, then cover and cook until the escarole is tender, 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

PASTA WITH ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 10 minutes. Add the escarole and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a large skillet over medium-high heat, about 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, the breadcrumbs, and salt and pepper to taste; cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a plate. Wipe out the skillet, add the pancetta and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and blot dry.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, then add the garlic and jalapeno and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain the pasta and escarole, reserving 1 cup cooking water, and add to the skillet. Add half of the pancetta and toss, drizzling in enough pasta water to moisten. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the pasta among bowls, top with the breadcrumb mixture, remaining pancetta and the parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil.

SPAGHETTI WITH PANCETTA, ESCAROLE, AND GARLIC CHIPS

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil, and salt the water. Add the pasta and cook to al dente, with a bite to it.
• While the pasta is working, heat a large skillet over medium heat with the EVOO (three times around the pan). Add the pancetta and cook until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the skillet with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with a paper towel and reserve. Turn the heat on the pan back to low, then add the sliced garlic and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the garlic chips from the pan to drain alongside the crispy pancetta. Turn the heat up to medium again, add the red pepper flakes, and cook for 30 seconds. Add the escarole, tossing it into the flavored oil to wilt in stages. Once all the escarole has fit into the pan, add the chicken stock, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
• Drain the hot pasta well and add it to the escarole. Add the lemon zest and toss to distribute. Turn the heat off and add the butter and Parmigiano cheese, toss to melt. Toss in the crispy pancetta and garlic chips. Serve the spaghetti with more cheese to pass at the table.

WARM ESCAROLE SALAD WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to paper towels; reserve mushrooms.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and sauté until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain; reserve pancetta.
• Carefully whisk vinegar into drippings in same skillet. Bring to simmer over medium heat, scraping up any browned bits. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, mustard and 3 tablespoons oil, then brandy. Bring to simmer. Place escarole in large bowl; pour warm vinaigrette over. Toss to coat. Mix in reserved mushrooms and pancetta. Season with salt and pepper.
• *Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets and some specialty foods stores.