Pasta Ribbons Recipes

ZUCCHINI RIBBON PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pasta pot, cook pasta "al dente", 1 or 2 minutes less than the package instructions call for. Drain.
• Meanwhile, slice off ends of zucchini and discard. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a mandoline, or carefully with a sharp knife, slice zucchini into very thin (about 1/8-inch) slices, trying to keep some skin on each piece for color. Stack slices and cut in half lengthwise. Reserve zucchini ribbons in a large bowl.
• In the pasta pot, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and translucent but not browned, about 1 minute. Add zucchini ribbons and 1/4 cup chicken broth, raise heat to medium-high and cook until zucchini is still somewhat firm but just cooked, about 3 minutes. Return pasta to pot and add remaining chicken stock; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until liquid has mostly absorbed into the pasta. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and toss to combine. Season with salt, to taste. Serve garnished with additional parsley, basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese.

GOLDEN RIBBONS PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO

Steps:

• If using large tomatoes score the bottoms with an X cutting through outer skin only. Bring a small pot of water to boil over medium heat and submerge the tomatoes for 1 minute. Remove and let cool for 1 to 2 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel, seed and chop them into a fine dice, about 1/4-inch. Reserve in small bowl. If using grape tomatoes, cut them in half and reserve.
• Put the stock and saffron into a small pot over medium-low heat. Simmer gently. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat for the pasta. When the water is at a full, rolling boil, salt the water and add the pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat with extra-virgin olive oil, a couple of turns of the pan, and the butter. When the butter melts into the oil add the shallots, zucchini, garlic and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and saute until tender, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and let them heat through. Add the pasta and stir gently.
• Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl with 1/2 cup of the saffron stock. Pour the remaining stock and tempered eggs over the pasta and turn off the heat. Toss the pasta and the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken the sauce.
• Serve the pasta immediately in shallow bowls garnished with Parmesan.

PASTA RIBBONS WITH SHREDDED BEEF BRISKET

Steps:

• Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 325°F. Pat brisket dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then add brisket and brown on both sides, about 12 minutes total.
• Cut carrots, celery, and onions into 1-inch pieces, then pulse in 2 batches in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Transfer brisket to a platter. Add 1 tablespoon oil and chopped vegetables to pot, then sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened and golden, about 5 minutes. Add wine, stock, tomatoes, bay leaves, and 7 whole garlic cloves and bring to a boil. Return brisket with any juices on platter to pot and cover, then transfer to oven. Braise brisket, turning over once per hour, until tender enough to shred with a fork, about 3 hours. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 2-inch chunks, then shred with 2 forks. Discard bay leaves from sauce and purée sauce in 2 batches in food processor or a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids).
• Mince remaining garlic clove. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in cleaned pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté garlic, stirring, 1 minute. Add meat and sauté, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in sauce and season with salt and pepper.
• Cook pappardelle in a 6-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, then return to pot and add meat sauce.
• *Available at specialty foods shops. You can also buy Demi-Glace Gold and reconstitute stock using 2 tablespoons concentrate and 2 cups water; available at specialty foods shops and More Than Gourmet (800-860-9385).