Pasta With Parsnips And Bacon Recipes

PASTA WITH BACON, CHEESE, LEMON AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Put a large pot of salted water on to boil. Put the cheese, herbs and red pepper flakes on the table. Zest the lemon and put the zest on the table in a small serving bowl. Cut the lemon in half.
• Put bacon in a medium-size heavy pot and turn the heat on low. Cook, turning occasionally, until fat has rendered and bacon is chewy-crisp, about 10 minutes. Lift out bacon pieces and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Keep warm on top of the stove.
• When the water boils, add pasta, stir well and cover. When the water comes back to the boil, uncover and stir again.
• Put 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan and melt it over medium-low heat. When it foams, throw in the pine nuts and cook, shaking the pan, until they turn brown and toasty. Turn off heat and squeeze the lemon into the pan, cupping your hand underneath to catch any pits. Stir and set aside. Transfer bacon to a serving bowl and place on the table.
• As soon as the pasta is tender (it will cook a bit more later on), drain it, reserving a cup of the cooking water. Immediately return the pasta to the pan over low heat. Toss in a chunk of butter. Add a splash of cooking water and a pinch of salt, stir well, cover and let rest 1 minute. Taste and adjust the seasonings until the pasta is completely cooked and tasty (but plain).
• For those who like plain pasta or pasta with just butter and cheese, set aside a good amount in serving bowls. For others, pour the pine nuts and butter into the pasta remaining in the pot, add another splash of cooking water, and toss to combine. Serve from the pot or in a serving bowl, passing the various toppings.

BACON AND PARMESAN PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Place the chopped bacon and onion in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir until the bacon is crisp and the onion is beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
• While the bacon and onion are cooking, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain pasta, transfer to a large serving bowl, and stir in the olive oil to coat the pasta.
• Drain the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving a couple of tablespoons or to taste. Stir the cooked bacon mixture into the pasta, and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Stir to mix in the cheese, and serve.

TAGLIATELLE WITH PARSNIPS AND PANCETTA (ADAPTED FROM BABBO)

Steps:

• Cook pancetta in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer pancetta with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Reduce heat to moderate, then add butter to fat remaining in skillet and, when foam subsides, cook parsnips, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 2 cups pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Add pasta and 1 1/2 cups reserved cooking water to parsnips. Stir in pancetta and parsley and toss over moderately high heat 1 minute, adding more pasta-cooking water if necessary for sauce to lightly coat pasta. Season with salt and pepper.

PASTA WITH PARSNIPS AND BACON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Toss parsnips with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until parsnips are golden and tender, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until 1 minute before it's al dente. Drain.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes; use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan.
• Return skillet to heat and add leeks. Cook in remaining bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and cooked bacon. Simmer mixture until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in pasta, parsnips and cheese. Simmer until heated through and cheese is melted, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; toss with parsley. Serve drizzled with olive oil, with plenty of black pepper on top.