Italian Pasta Florentine Recipes

FLORENTINES (ITALY)

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• Pulse the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped, but not pasty. Stir together the nuts, flour, zest and salt in a large bowl.
• Put the sugar, cream, corn syrup and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a rolling boil and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, then pour mixture into almond mixture and stir just to combine. Set aside until cool enough to handle, 30 minutes.
• Scoop rounded teaspoons (for 3-inch cookies) or rounded tablespoons (for 6-inch cookies) of batter and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 to 4 inches between each cookie since they spread.
• Bake 1 pan at a time, until the cookies are thin and an even golden brown color throughout, rotating pans halfway through baking time, about 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve.
• Optional chocolate topping: Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very low simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. (Alternatively, put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue heat until completely melted, about 1 to 2 minutes more.)
• For sandwiches: Drop about 1/2 teaspoon chocolate onto on the flat side of half of the cookies and press together with remaining halves. Return to rack and let chocolate set.
• For chocolate decor: Drizzle melted chocolate over Florentines as desired. Set aside at room temperature until chocolate is set.

CREAMY TORTELLINI FLORENTINE

Steps:

• 1. Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain when cooked.
• 2. While that's cooking, pour milk into a large skillet and add cubed cream cheese. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until cream cheese is melted and mixture has no lumps.
• 3. Stir in parmesan cheese and pepper. Add spinach; mix well letting spinach wilt a bit. This only takes a minute or two.
• 4. Add drained pasta and mix lightly. Gently fold in diced tomatoes to heat through.
• 5. Pour into serving bowl and top with another sprinkling of parmesan, if desired.

FLORENTINE SPAGHETTI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage and onion, crumbling meat, until sausage is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in pasta sauce and mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook until heated through, about 15 minutes., Drain pasta. Combine the egg with the next 5 ingredients. Spread 1 cup sausage mixture in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with spaghetti and remaining sausage mixture. Layer with egg mixture and mozzarella cheese., Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover; bake until lightly browned and heated through, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

COPYCAT PASTA DA VINCI

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook onion in oil over medium heat until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Stir in chicken and mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until chicken is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove mixture; set aside. , To the same skillet, add wine and broth; bring mixture to a simmer. Cook until liquid is reduced by half, 15-20 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese and butter, whisking until melted. Whisk in cream, salt and pepper. Add chicken mixture to pan; heat through on low. Toss with pasta and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and if desired, parsley.