Pasta With Olives Piquant Moosewood Recipes

SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt and the pasta and cook according to the directions on the package. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water before you drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a pot large enough to hold the pasta, such as a 12-inch saute pan or a large, shallow pot. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it just begins to turn golden on the edges-don't overcook it! Add the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more. Carefully add the reserved pasta-cooking water to the garlic and oil and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by about a third.
• Add the drained pasta to the garlic sauce and toss. Off the heat, add the parsley and Parmesan and toss well. Allow the pasta to rest off the heat for 5 minutes for the sauce to be absorbed. Taste for seasoning and serve warm with extra Parmesan on the side.

PASTA WITH OLIVES PIQUANT (MOOSEWOOD)

Steps:

• Cook pasta until al dente.
• Finely mince olives.
• Combine oil and garlic in a heavy pan, heating over low heat until golden in color.
• Add red pepper flakes, olives and parsley.
• Stir constantly, cooking just until parsley wilts.
• Remove from heat.
• Before draining pasta, dip out 1 cup of the water.
• Drain pasta and transfer the noodles to your serving bowl.
• Toss in your olive sauce.
• Use a little of the cooking water that you saved to "wash" the remaining sauce out of the pan. Toss the water/sauce mix into the pasta.
• Add more cooking water if your pasta seems dry.
• Top with grated cheese.

PASTA WITH LEMON AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring, until the shallot is tender, about 3 minutes. Add the cannellini beans and olives and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the pasta, lemon zest and juice and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Toss well, gradually adding the remaining cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Stir in 1/4 cup each Parmesan and parsley. Divide the pasta among bowls and top with the remaining Parmesan and parsley.

DOUBLE OLIVE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper and sauté 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices and black and green olives; simmer until sauce begins to thicken, about 8 minutes. Add pasta and 1 cup Parmesan cheese; toss until sauce coats pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to large shallow bowl. Pass additional Parmesan separately.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES, CAPERS, OLIVES AND BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the sliced garlic over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan or skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic turns golden, about two minutes. Do not let it take on any more color than this. Remove the garlic slices with a slotted spoon and discard, then add the bread crumbs to the pan. Turn the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until the bread crumbs are crisp. Remove from the heat, and set aside.
• Return the pan to medium heat, and add the remaining olive oil, the red pepper flakes and the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic smells fragrant, and add the tomatoes, capers and olives. Bring to a simmer, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the spaghetti. Cook al dente, following the cooking recommendations on the package but checking about a minute before the suggested time. Drain, and toss with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and parsley on top, toss again briefly and serve, passing the Parmesan at the table.

PASTA WITH FETA AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook at a gentle boil until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan or skillet, heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the olives, cooking until they start to blister in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, then add in the garlic, lemon zest and red-pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds, then let sit uncovered until the pasta is finished.
• Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain the pasta, then return it to the pot over medium-low heat. Pour in the olive mixture, the lemon juice and ¾ cup pasta water, and stir well for 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are coated in a smooth, glossy sauce, adding more water if needed. Turn off the heat, stir in the feta and let it soften and melt slightly. Finish with a grind or two of black pepper and a sprinkle of red-pepper flakes, if desired. Season to taste with salt, and serve immediately.

PIQUANT SPAGHETTI WITH PEPPERS, ONION AND TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan or in a flame-proof casserole that will hold all ingredients, including cooked spaghetti, and can go to the table. Add onions and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until soft but not brown.
• Add tomatoes. If using canned tomatoes, break up with a fork. Cook for 3 minutes. Add peppers and basil and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes, or until peppers are almost but not quite tender. Stir in olives and capers, cover and cook for 5 more minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. When water reboils, add pasta and stir vigorously with a long-handled wooden spoon or fork to separate pasta strands and bring water quickly back to a boil. Cook until pasta is al dente.
• Drain pasta and turn into the casserole with the sauce. Toss to mix and serve immediately, passing the Parmesan separately if desired.