Vegetarian Pasta Sauce With Artichokes And Greens Recipes

VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, cook onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook 3-4 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. , Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, chives, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Stir in vegetarian meat crumbles; cook for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. Serve over pasta if desired.

PASTA WITH ARTICHOKES AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Squeeze one lemon half into a large bowl of cold water. Pluck off all tough leaves from one artichoke, until you reach leaves that are pale and soft. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, peel stem and trim base of artichoke, then dunk it in lemon water to keep it from browning. Cut off the top 1/3 of artichoke and discard. Cut artichoke in half; remove any inner purple leaves and scoop out the fuzzy choke if there is one. Thinly slice artichoke lengthwise to include some of the heart. Put slices in the lemon water and leave them there as you cut remaining artichokes.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil, then cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in pancetta and cook until browned and crispy, stirring occasionally, 8 to 12 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate; leave fat in pan.
• Drain the artichokes, shaking them well to remove excess water. Raise heat under pan to medium-high, and stir in artichokes, leeks, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and cook until golden brown and tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and stir in vermouth, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.
• Stir in cooked pasta, pancetta, chives and parsley. If the mixture seems dry, add pasta water, a little at a time. Stir in more salt to taste, Parmesan and lemon juice to taste.
• Transfer to serving plates and top with a drizzle of oil, more black pepper, and more grated cheese.

CREAMY ARTICHOKE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions for al dente.
• Meanwhile, blend the drained artichoke hearts, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided skillet or braiser over medium heat. Add the roasted red peppers, olives, capers and red pepper flakes and sauté until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and a drizzle of oil if needed. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is slightly softened but not brown, about 1 minute. Stir in the blended artichoke hearts, then reduce the heat to low.
• When the pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the artichoke sauce. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss together until the sauce and water become a cohesive creamy mixture, add more pasta water as needed. Turn off the heat. Add the basil and parsley, toss to combine and serve.