Fusilli With Tomato Arugula And Feta Recipes

FUSILLI WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor and pulse to chop. Add the orange juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Process to a slightly chunky, relatively thick puree.
• To assemble: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water.
• In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta together with the arugula, olives, basil, mozzarella and the vinaigrette. Serve.

LEMON FUSILLI WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garlic, and cook for 60 seconds. Add the cream, the zest from 2 lemons, the juice of 2 lemons, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until it starts to thicken.
• Meanwhile, cut the broccoli in florets and discard the stem. Cook the florets in a pot of boiling salted water for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender but still firm. Drain the broccoli and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the pasta, and cook according to the directions on the package, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the pasta in a colander and place it back into the pot. Immediately add the cream mixture and cook it over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, until most of the sauce has been absorbed in the pasta. Pour the hot pasta into a large bowl, add the arugula, Parmesan, tomatoes, and cooked broccoli. Cut the last lemon in half lengthwise, slice it 1/4-inch thick crosswise, and add it to the pasta. Toss well, season to taste, and serve hot.

FUSILLI WITH ARUGULA PESTO AND CRISPY PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice water bath. Stir the arugula into the boiling water and cook until it is bright green and tender, about 15 seconds. Remove the arugula directly to the ice bath and let cool completely, then drain, gently squeeze out the excess water and set aside. Do the same for the basil. Once the arugula and basil are blanched, cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the arugula and basil to a food processor and blend until mostly pureed, about 30 seconds. Add oil, pine nuts, garlic and salt and pepper and puree for another 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the cheese and pulse, drizzling more oil as desired, until combined but not fully pureed, another 30 seconds. (See Cook's Note.)
• Place the pesto and butter in a large bowl and add drained pasta to the bowl, reserving some pasta water to thin the sauce as desired. Mix the pesto and pasta, season to taste and crumble the slices of crispy pancetta on top. Serve with extra grated Pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil.

FUSILLI WITH TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally until al dente ?o tender but not mushy. Drain the pasta in a colander in the sink. Rinse with cold water, then shake off excess water.
• Meanwhile, put the onions in a small bowl of cold water.
• Put the tomatoes in a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and some pepper. Chop the oregano with the garlic and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then use the flat side of the knife to mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Scatter garlic mixture over the tomatoes. Cut the peppers about the same size as the tomatoes, and add to the salad. Drain the onions, pat dry, and add to the tomato mixture. Add the vinegar and olive oil and toss together. Add the drained pasta and toss well. (The salad can be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.)
• Just before serving mix the arugula leaves into the salad, then add the cheese and toss lightly. Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve.

WHOLE WHEAT PENNE OR FUSILLI WITH TOMATOES, SHELL BEANS AND FETA

Steps:

• In a large pasta bowl, toss together the tomatoes, minced garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and mint or basil. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Meanwhile shell the beans and combine with the onion, water, the crushed garlic cloves, bouquet garni and salt to taste in a heavy saucepan or soup pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Taste and adjust salt. Remove and discard the onion, the bouquet garni and the garlic cloves. Drain though a colander set over a bowl. Stir the beans into the tomato mixture.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the pasta. Cook al dente, drain and toss with the tomatoes and beans. If desired add about 1/4 cup of the bean broth. Add the feta cheese, toss again and serve at once.

EGGPLANT AND FETA WITH FUSILLI

Steps:

• Turn on broiler. Bring water to boil for pasta in covered pot.
• Wash and trim the eggplant (do not peel) and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cover broiler pan with aluminum foil and arrange slices on pan. Spray tops of eggplant with pan spray, and broil 2 or 3 inches from source of heat until tops are brown.
• Chop all the onion. Heat a nonstick pan large enough to hold all the sauce ingredients until it is very hot. Reduce heat to medium high, and add oil. Saute the onion until it begins to soften and brown.
• Meanwhile, mince the garlic; chop the tomatoes. Check the eggplant: if it is browned, turn, spray with nonstick spray and continue to broil. It takes about 10 minutes broiling time to cook the eggplant.
• Add the garlic to the onions when they have softened, and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and vinegar; reduce heat to low and continue cooking.
• Chop the oregano and thyme, and add to the sauce as it cooks.
• Cook the pasta.
• When the eggplant is ready, cut it into small chunks (about 1 inch) and stir into the sauce.
• Pit the olives, and chop and add to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Wash and chop the parsley.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain and stir in the sauce. Stir in the cheese and parsley, and serve with the bread.