Vegetarian Whole Wheat Pasta With Broccoli And Gorgonzola Recipes

HEARTY WHOLE-WHEAT PASTA WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CHEESE AND POTATO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water generously, then add brussels sprouts, potato and pasta, and let water come back to a boil. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until potato is tender and pasta is al dente. Just before draining, remove 2 cups of the cooking liquid and set aside.
• Tip drained pasta, brussels sprouts and potato into an approximately 10-by-15-inch roasting pan (or a 9-by-13-inch lasagna dish), then add ricotta, Gruyère and 1 cup cooking water, and toss well. Add more liquid if you think the pasta is too dry.
• Warm butter, olive oil and garlic in a small saucepan and, when melted and beginning to sizzle gently, add sage and fry for about 30 seconds. Spoon or dribble the butter and sage over the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake for 20 minutes, by which time the surface will be scorched a light gold. Let stand for at least 15 minutes before eating.

WHOLE-WHEAT FETTUCCINE WITH SPICY BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Lightly dust a sheet of pasta with semolina flour, then loosely roll lengthwise into thirds lengthwise, like folding a letter. Cut noodles in 1/2-inch increments with a sharp knife. Shake off the excess semolina, and repeat with remaining pasta sheets. Form pasta into small nests (about 3 ounces per portion) on the prepared baking sheets.
• Set a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons olive oil. When it shimmers, add onion and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until onions are tender and lightly golden.
• Trim woody ends from broccoli rabe and discard. Slice the stems and leaves into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add broccoli rabe, red pepper flakes, a generous pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons water. Use tongs to turn greens until evenly wilted. Cook, stirring occasionally, until water cooks away and broccoli rabe is tender, sweet, and starting to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. As broccoli cooks, set a large pot filled with 5 quarts of water over high heat, cover, and bring to a boil. Add 6 tablespoons fine sea salt or 1/2 cup kosher salt. Set a colander in the sink.
• Move broccoli rabe to the edges of the pot and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add garlic and allow it to gently sizzle until it releases an aroma, about 20 seconds. Before the garlic has a chance to start browning, stir it into the greens.
• Add 4 portions pasta to the water and stir. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
• Add pasta and 1/4 cup cooking water to the broccoli rabe and toss. Continue cooking over medium heat for 1 minute, tossing continuously with tongs. If the pasta looks dry, add a little more pasta water. It should be slightly wetter than you are comfortable with, because the pasta will continue to absorb sauce even after you pull it from the heat. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve immediately, with grated ricotta salata.

WHOLE-WHEAT SPAGHETTI WITH BROCCOLI, CHICKPEAS, AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add broccoli and salt and cook, breaking up frozen chunks and stirring occasionally, until broccoli is thawed and crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in chickpeas and cook until heated through.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander. Add pasta and reserved cooking water to broccoli and chickpeas in skillet and cook over moderate heat, tossing, until combined well. Serve drizzled with additional olive oil.

PENNE ALLA GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water , stirring occasionally, until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.
• While pasta boils, heat butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook sage, stirring, 1 minute. Add milk and Gorgonzola and cook, stirring and breaking up cheese, until sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes (sauce will be thin). Reduce heat to low and stir in pepper, nutmeg, and salt to taste.
• Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water and drain pasta. Add pasta and parmesan to sauce, stirring to coat. Thin with a little reserved cooking water if necessary.