Potato Pasta And Herb Sauce From Kazahstan Recipes

PASTA WITH MEATBALLS AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix together the basil, parsley and chives. Soak the bread in the milk for 5 minutes, then gently squeeze any excess milk from the bread; discard the milk. Combine the bread with the meat, 1 cup of the herbs and some salt and pepper; shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cook the pasta in the boiling water until tender but not mushy. While the pasta is cooking, purée 11/2 cups of the herbs with 4 tablespoons oil, the garlic and some salt and pepper in a mini food processor or blender; leave the sauce rough or add a little water if you want it smoother. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of its cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the herb sauce and most of the remaining herbs, adding the reserved liquid if the mixture seems dry. Top with the meatballs, garnish with Parmesan and the last of the herbs and serve.

PASTA WITH CREAMY HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, sage, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium and cook until the cream has thickened slightly and is reduced to about 1 cup, 12 to 15 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Remove from heat until the pasta's ready.
• When the cream is at the halfway point, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until a minute or 2 shy of al dente. About 3 minutes before draining the pasta, add the greens to the water. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and greens with a colander and return to the pot.
• Place the just-used colander over the pot of pasta, then strain the infused cream through the colander into the noodles. (Discard or compost the herbs and cinnamon stick.) Add the 1/2 cup pasta water to the pasta, set over medium-high heat, and cook, tossing, until the sauce glosses the noodles, 3 to 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

SMASHED POTATOES WITH THAI-STYLE CHILE AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Brush a sheet pan all over with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with enough water to cover by 1 inch; add 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower and simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 18 minutes, until the potatoes are just fork tender. Pour into a colander to drain, then return the cooked potatoes to the pot off the heat to help any remaining moisture evaporate.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, chile, soy sauce, sugar and garlic, then stir in the cilantro and scallions.
• Place the potatoes on the prepared sheet pan. Using the bottom of a measuring cup, gently smash each potato until it's about 1/2-inch thick. Drizzle remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil over the potatoes and carefully flip to coat both sides in oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
• Transfer the potatoes to a platter, sprinkle lightly with salt, then spoon the sauce on top. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot.

POTATO LASAGNA WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into rectangular shapes, about 3 by 1 1/2 inches.
• Using a mandoline, a vegetable slicer or a sharp kitchen knife, slice each potato rectangle into 5 slices.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and brush the parchment with the melted butter. Spread out the potato slices on a cookie sheet. Butter another piece of parchment paper and place, buttered side down, on the potatoes. Cook in the oven until the potatoes are soft, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Chop all the mushrooms. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saute pan and add the mushrooms. Cook over medium-low heat until they are soft. Add the finely chopped shallots and cook for 2 minutes more, or until the shallots are translucent.
• In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced celery, leeks, shallots and onion. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add the wine and, over high heat, reduce the liquid until it almost totally evaporates. Add 1 cup of water, the garlic, thyme and lemon juice and reduce it by a fourth. There should be 6 ounces of liquid. Strain through a sieve, pressing on the vegetables to release the juices. While the liquid is hot, pour it into a blender. Whir the liquid, adding 8 ounces of butter tablespoon by tablespoon. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the broth back into the pan and stir in the chopped parsley and diced tomatoes.
• To serve, alternate slices of potato with mushrooms. Spoon the celery sauce over the potatoes and serve.