Gemelli Con Iniziali Recipes

GEMELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, MOZZARELLA, AND BACON

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces on the bias; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until bacon is crisp and all the fat has been rendered, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the bacon from pan, and drain on paper towels. Crumble the cooked bacon, and set aside. Remove skillet from heat.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water, and cook until al dente, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander; set aside.
• Meanwhile, discard all but 1/4 cup bacon fat, and return the skillet to medium heat. Add the asparagus and the red-pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook until the asparagus is lightly browned. Drain the pasta, and add to skillet with the crumbled bacon, and the marjoram; season with salt. Toss together until combined and heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Add the mozzarella, and toss to combine. Divide the pasta among six plates. Garnish each serving with a grind of black pepper, and serve immediately.

GEMELLI ALFREDO WITH PROSCUITTO

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart kettle three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for cooking pasta.
• Chop prosciutto. In a skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté prosciutto, stirring, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer prosciutto to paper towels to drain.
• Boil pasta until al dente and drain in a colander. Return pasta to kettle and add remaining ingredients except prosciutto and salt to taste. Cook pasta over low heat, stirring, until butter is melted and sauce coats pasta.
• Serve pasta sprinkled with prosciutto.

GARLIC AND PARMESAN GEMELLI PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, deep skillet. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 7 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove chicken and cut into small chunks.
• Add remaining oil, butter, and garlic to the skillet and begin cooking over low heat. Add cilantro and basil and stir to keep the mixture moving. Slowly add cooked chicken, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Cook, stirring often to keep the cheese from burning, for about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add gemelli and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Drain pasta and return to the pot. Pour in sauce and toss to coat.