Jacques Pepin Tomato Sauce Recipes

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH SIMPLE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. To prepare the gnocchi, gently mix the cheese, egg yolks, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl until blended.
• 2. Using your hands, fold the flour gradually into the cheese mixture. You may need more or less flour, depending on how well the cheese was drained. Work the dough until it forms a loose ball. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead once or twice. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll each one into a long rope about 3/4 inch in diameter. Lightly dust each rope with flour to prevent sticking when you cut them into gnocchi.
• 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust it with flour. Cut the ropes into 3/4-inch-long pieces and transfer each piece to the baking sheet.
• 4. You may choose to leave the gnocchi in these pieces or go one step further by rolling each piece into a ball. Use your thumb, the back of a fork, or a small gnocchi paddle to make grooves on 1 side of the balls and a small indentation on the other.
• 5.Transfer the gnocchi to the baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, for up to 24 hours. (Do not cover with a damp cloth or the gnocchi will soften.) After the gnocchi dry for 24 hours in the refrigerator, they can be transferred to a rigid plastic container and frozen for up to 1 week. Let them thaw before cooking.
• 6. Fill a large saucepan with lightly salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Gently drop the gnocchi into the water and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the gnocchi bob to the surface. When they do, cook for 1 minute longer and then drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
• 7. To prepare the tomato sauce, heat the tomatoes over medium-high heat. Thin or loosen with a little pasta water. Stir in 1/2 cup of olive oil and the butter until the butter is incorporated. Toss the gnocchi with the tomato sauce. Stir in the parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 8. Divide the gnocchi among 4 serving plates and drizzle with olive oil.
• Note:

CHICKEN THIGHS IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Divide the oil between 2 skillets, and heat it over medium-to-high heat until it is hot. Add the chicken in one layer to the skillets. Sprinkle half the salt over the chicken pieces, and brown them for 5 minutes on one side, then for 5 minutes on the other side.
• Remove the chicken to a platter, and add the onions to the drippings in the skillets. Cook about 2 minutes over high heat to brown the onions lightly. Add the garlic, and cook about 30 seconds longer.
• If using canned tomatoes, divide the tomatoes and their juice between the 2 skillets, breaking up the tomatoes with the edge of the spoon as you mix them in. If using fresh tomato pieces, divide them between the skillets, and add 1/4 cup of water to each skillet. Mix well and bring to a boil.
• Return the chicken pieces to the skillets. Add the remaining salt and the pepper to the mixture, and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low, cover and boil gently for 10 minutes.
• Arrange the chicken on a platter or divide it among six individual plates. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle the chopped herbs on top, and serve.

JACQUES PEPIN'S SPAGHETTI WITH FRESH TOMATO AND ANCHOVY SA

Steps:

• 1. Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, cut the mushrooms into thin slices. Pile the slices together and cut them into thin strips (julienne). You should have 1½ cups. Combine them in a large glass bowl with the peas.
• 2. Add the diced tomatoes, garlic and anchovies with their oil to the bowl. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes, salt, olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
• 3. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until done to your liking. Meanwhile, heat the tomato mixture in a microwave oven for about 2 minutes. When the pasta is cooked, ladle out about ¾ cup of the hot pasta water before draining the pasta, and mix it into the sauce in the bowl to help warm it up.
• 4. Drain the pasta, and add it to the sauce along with the cilantro. Toss well for 15 or 20 seconds, and divide among the four hot plates. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese.

TOMATOES PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Remove and discard stems from the tomatoes and cut in half crosswise (parallel to stem end). Chop the parsley and garlic together to make persillade. There should be 1/2 cup.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• In each of two heavy skillets heat about 1 tablespoon of the oil until very hot. Put the tomatoes cut side down in the skillets and cook over high heat about 2 minutes, covered, until the tomatoes soften slightly. Arrange the tomatoes cut side up in a gratin dish suitable for serving. Sprinkle with the pepper and salt.
• To the drippings in the pan add the remainder of the oil and the persillade. Mix 10 to 15 seconds to cook slightly; divide equally and spread on top of the tomatoes. Put the tomatoes in the warm oven for a few minutes before serving. If the tomatoes must wait 30 minutes or more before being served, saute as directed and keep warm in a 180-degree oven, but don't add the persillade until serving time.