Orecchiette With Chickpeas Recipes

EGGPLANT AND BLACK CHICKPEA ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Soak the chickpeas overnight, then drain and cook according to the packet instructions, until soft.
• For the orecchiette: Pile the flour on to a clean surface and make a well in the middle. Gradually add 200 millimeters (6.8 ounces) of warm water, using a fork to bring the flour in from the outside until it forms a dough. Knead on a flour-dusted surface, switching between fast and slow kneading, for 10 minutes, or until smooth and firm. Cut the dough into four so you can work with it a quarter at a time. Cover the rest with a clean damp tea towel while you work, to stop it drying out. Roll your first quarter into a long sausage shape about 1 centimeter (3/8 inch) in diameter, then cut it into 1-centimeter (3/8-inch) nuggets. Keep your surface well dusted with flour.
• Now, method number one: starting at the edge furthest away from you, drag a blunt eating knife towards you over a nugget of dough, so it curls round and over the knife. Gently pull the dough off the knife, push your thumb inside and turn it inside out. Repeat, and you'll get it after a while. Method number two requires you to stick your thumb into the centre of a nugget (roll it into a ball first if you want to be more precise), rotate your thumb around to create a round disc, then pick the disc up and hold it between your thumb and forefinger, pulling it gently over your forefinger to make a similarly effective little ear. Transfer to a floured tray as you go.
• Whichever method you choose, repeat with the remaining pasta, shaping and perfecting as you go until all your little ears are done.
• For the sauce, trim the eggplant and zucchini and chop into 2-centimeter (3/4-inch) dice, then peel and finely slice the onion. Cook the veg in a large frying pan on a medium-high heat with the olive oil for 15 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally.
• Drain the chickpeas, reserving the liquor. Stir the chickpeas into the veg pan with the juice of 1/2 a lemon, loosening with a good splash of reserved liquor. Cook over a low heat for 8 more minutes, then taste and season to perfection with sea salt and black pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook your fresh orecchiette in boiling salted water for 4 minutes (or cook 300 grams (10 ounces) of dried orecchiette according to the packet instructions). Scoop the pasta into the sauce and toss together, loosening with pasta cooking water, if needed, then tuck in.

ONE-PAN ORECCHIETTE WITH CHICKPEAS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Combine pasta, chickpeas, olives, tomato paste, garlic, rosemary, oil, pepper flakes, and 5 cups water in a large straight-sided skillet. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is reduced to a sauce that coats pasta, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat, discard rosemary, and stir in cheese. Add more water, a few tablespoons at a time, to thin sauce if necessary. Divide pasta and arugula among bowls and serve immediately, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with cheese and pepper flakes.

ORECCHIETTE WITH CHICKPEAS AND ZAATAR

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat olive oil over a hot heat. Sautee the onion for 3-4 minutes with the garlic, curry, thyme, anchovies, lemon zest, and ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper. Stir constantly until tender and golden.
• Lower the heat and add the chickpeas, and the brown sugar, and let cook until golden, about 8 minutes.
• When the chickpeas start to dry, wet with the chicken broth et the lemon juice. Cook and reduce for about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water add the pasta and cook al dente. Drain and set aside.
• In the chickpea, skillet adds the spinach and parsley and mix well. The spinach should be welting. If that is not the case, turn on the heat to low and give it a couple of stirs. Add the orecchiette and mix well to coat all the pasta.
• Serve on four plates or bowls, sprinkle the zataar over it, and drizzle a little bit of olive oil.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Put the chickpeas in a bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and then drop in the broccoli and cook until tender but not too soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and refresh in cold water to set the color. Drain and set aside. If using broccoli rabe, chop coarsely. Then drop the orecchiette into the same boiling salted water.
• While the pasta cooks, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion, if using, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, if using, and chickpeas and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, if using, and broccoli and cook until hot. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Drain the pasta when it is al dente and add it to the broccoli sauce, along with the toasted bread crumbs, if using. Warm through. Transfer to a warmed bowl and sprinkle with pecorino, if desired.
• Toasted Bread Crumbs: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a food processor, pulse 2 cups diced country-style bread, crusts removed, until you have coarse crumbs. Toss the crumbs in a bowl with 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, or olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Spread the crumbs on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 20 minutes. The crumbs can be stored in the pantry in a covered container for up to a month.

ORECCHIETTE WITH CHICKPEAS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the bell peppers and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook just until wilted.
• Stir in the rosemary and the fowl glaze. Stir in the chickpeas. Cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste. Place the orecchiette in a large bowl. Add the spinach-and-chickpea mixture and toss to combine well. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Divide the orecchiette among 4 pasta bowls and serve immediately.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI, CHICKPEAS, ONIONS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook the orecchiette in boiling water until tender but firm; drain.
• Blanch the broccoli for about 2 or 3 minutes in boiling water until almost tender, then rinse in ice water to halt cooking.
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick pan and saute the onion until it is soft. Add the chickpeas and garlic and warm.
• Add the tomatoes and broccoli and heat. Stir in the drained pasta; season with salt, if desired, and pepper and serve, sprinkled with cheese, if desired.