Toasted Bread Crumb Topping For Pasta Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH TOASTED GARLIC BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water (1-1/2 tsp), until AL DENTE.
• Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Gently heat 3 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large, heavy frying pan over medium (do not burn).
• Add the onion and garlic. cooking until fragrant, about a minute or two (do not burn).
• Mix in another 1/2 tsp. salt and the oregano, black pepper, and red chili pepper flakes.
• Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In the same frying pan, add the remaining olive oil and butter and gently heat on medium.
• Add the breadcrumbs and cook until toasted golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently so they do not burn, about 2 - 3 minutes.
• Turn off the stove burner.
• Mix into the toasted breadcrumbs: the sauteed garlic, onion, oregano, chili pepper, salt and pepper mixture.
• Mix in the parmesan cheese.
• When the pasta is finished cooking, toss the pasta into the frying pan with the breadcrumb mixture gently tossing to coat the pasta evenly.
• Add some reserved pasta water OR olive oil if needed to loosen the pasta, adding about 1/4 cup at a time until your preferred consistency is achieved (I used a whole cup of the reserved pasta water and another 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
• Transfer to a large pasta platter and garnish with basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese.
• Offer basil pesto to guests to add to their pasta if desired.

GARLIC BREADCRUMB TOPPING FOR PASTA

Steps:

• Add the butter and oil to a pan over medium heat. When the butter melts, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the panko and cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve over pasta.

PASTA WITH BREAD CRUMBS AND ANCHOVIES, SICILIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Place olive oil and garlic in a heavy skillet and gently cook the garlic over medium heat until golden. Discard garlic. Add the red-pepper flakes and anchovies and mash to a puree with the back of a wooden spoon over very low heat, about one minute. Remove from heat. Do not allow oil to get very hot. Can be prepared in advance to this point.
• Cook the spaghettini in boiling, salted water until cooked al dente. While the pasta is cooking, transfer three tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to the anchovy-oil mixture in order to stretch the sauce; reheat carefully. Drain pasta, then transfer it to the skillet and toss with the hot sauce. Divide evenly on four heated dishes, sprinkle with parsley and serve at once. Pass the bread crumbs.

ORECCHIETTE WITH TOASTED BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring to a boil 6 quarts of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium-sized saute pan, heat the oil until warm. Since the bread crumbs will cook quickly, you don't want to add them into a hot pan, otherwise they can burn. Add the breadcrumbs and stir constantly. Season lightly with salt and pepper since flavored bread crumbs may already have seasoning. Saute for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Drain pasta in a colander. Working quickly, add pasta to the saute pan and stir to combine. Add Parmesan and the chopped prosciutto. Mix thoroughly. Pour into large serving bowl and garnish with chopped parsley.

PASTA WITH GARLIC OIL AND TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position, place large oven-safe serving bowl on rack, and heat oven to 200 degrees. Prepare pasta according to directions on package, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
• Heat butter in heavy-bottomed 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, toasted, and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer crumbs to small bowl and mix in cheese and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic; set aside. Wipe out now-empty skillet with large wad of paper towels.
• Mix remaining minced garlic with 1 teaspoon water. Heat olive oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in cleaned skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add vermouth, reserved pasta cooking water, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; cook to blend flavors, about 1 minute longer. Toss pasta and sauce in warm serving bowl; sprinkle bread crumbs over and serve immediately.

TOASTED BREAD CRUMB TOPPING FOR PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut bread into cubes, then grind to crumbs in a food processor. Spread in a shallow baking pan and bake in middle of oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Pour crumbs into a bowl and stir in oil and salt.