Walnut And Pancetta Pansoti With Asparagus In Parmesan Broth Recipes

ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• 1. Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water. Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath. The colander will keep you from having to pick the asparagus out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
• 2. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the asparagus and cook for 1 to 1½ minutes. You want them to be crunchy. If the asparagus are thicker, cook for 1½ to 2 minutes.
• 3. Remove the asparagus from the water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath. Move them around gently so the ice water penetrates the asparagus and accelerates the cooling process. Vegetables take longer than you think to cool so allow them to sit a few minutes in the ice water. Hold a piece of the asparagus in your hand for a few seconds to assure that it's really cool (even in the center). If the piece still feels warm, allow them to cool longer in the ice bath. Place them on a kitchen towel to drain any excess moisture.
• 4. Heat oil a medium skillet until hot (but not smoking), add the walnuts and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. They should bubble and fry slightly in the oil. When you can smell the walnuts, add the paprika and cayenne and lower the heat to medium. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Set aside.
• 5. Toss the asparagus in the bowl with the walnuts and the oil. Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or a few minutes. When ready to serve, stir in the lemon juice. Serve immediately.

WALNUT AND PANCETTA PANSOTI WITH ASPARAGUS IN PARMESAN BROTH

Steps:

• Make pansoti filling:
• Cook pancetta in oil in a large heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fat is rendered, 10 to 12 minutes. Add onion and marjoram and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is well browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer half of mixture to a 2-quart saucepan and remaining half to a bowl. Stir walnuts, parsley, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper into mixture in bowl. Cool filling.
• Make sauce:
• Add water, red pepper flakes, and cheese rind to pancetta mixture in saucepan and simmer briskly, uncovered, until reduced to about 1 cup, about 12 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl and stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Form pansoti:
• Place 1 level teaspoon filling in center of 1 pasta square, keeping remaining squares covered tightly with plastic wrap. Moisten edges of pasta square with water and fold in half to form a triangle, pressing around filling to force out air (air pockets increase the chance of pansoti breaking during cooking) and then pressing edges to seal. Transfer to a dry kitchen towel. Make more pansoti in same manner.
• Cook asparagus and pansoti:
• Cook asparagus tips in a small saucepan of salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a sieve and plunge into a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry.
• Bring a 6-quart pot of salted water to a boil, then add pansoti and cook at a strong simmer, gently stirring once or twice, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
• While pansoti are boiling, cook asparagus tips in oil in a small skillet over low heat until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Heat sauce in a 12-inch skillet over moderate heat until hot. Transfer pansoti with a slotted spoon to sauce and cook over moderate heat, stirring gently, 1 minute. Transfer pansoti to plates with slotted spoon, then top with some sauce and sprinkle with asparagus tips.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bend asparagus gently until it breaks at a natural point, and discard ends.
• Toss asparagus with oil and minced garlic, and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Season with salt and peppers and sprinkle with diced pancetta and parmesan cheese.
• Roast at 400F for 12 minutes or until done.
• Serve with lemon squeezed over asparagus.

RAW ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH WALNUTS & PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place day-old bread in the food processor and whiz until fine. Measure out 1.5 to 2 cups of crumbs. Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the crumbs and the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crumbs are golden brown. This could take 5 to 15 minutes (or longer) depending on your heat level. If you have the time, go slowly to prevent burning. When the crumbs are nice and golden, turn off the heat. Let cool briefly. Taste. Add more salt if necessary. Measure out 1/3 cup of the crumbs - this is the amount the original recipe calls for. You can use more if you wish.
• Place the walnuts in a medium skillet. Set the skillet over low heat. Allow the walnuts to toast slowly while you prepare the salad. Remove them from the heat when they smell and look toasty. You can chop them on a cutting board or by gently crushing them in a tea towel.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the asparagus thinly on the bias.
• In a large bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, the 1/3 cup (or more!) toasted bread crumbs, the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, the crushed red pepper flakes (starting with 1/4 teaspoon if you are sensitive to heat), salt and pepper to taste, and the zest of the lemon. Stir to combine. Add the asparagus and toss to combine. "Taste and dial in the flavors by adding more salt, black pepper, chile flakes, or lemon juice. When the flavors are bright and delicious, add the mint (if using) and 1/4 cup olive oil." Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the flavors again if necessary.
• Transfer to a serving platter. Crack more pepper over top if you wish.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Spray the inside of a 9x13 casserole dish with olive oil cooking spray. Place asparagus in the dish and lightly spray spears with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle asparagus with Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and garlic powder.
• Roast in preheated oven until fork easily punctures thickest part of stem, about 12 minutes.

ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS, PARMESAN AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Steam the asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the foam has subsided and the butter turns a deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. (Take care that it doesn't burn.) Stir in the nuts and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon nut mixture over warm asparagus and serve at once.