Fried Pasta Shells With Vodka Sauce Dip Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook about a minute less than the recommended cooking time. Drain the pasta and spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let cool and pat completely dry with paper towels.
• Pour about 2 inches of oil into a large Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 375 degrees F.
• Fry the pasta in 3 batches (about a cup each batch) until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to a mini processor or spice grinder, add the basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until finely ground.
• Remove the fried pasta from the oil, drain on paper towels, then sprinkle immediately with some of the seasoning mix. Repeat, working in batches, with the rest of the pasta and seasoning mix.
• Put the fried pasta on a serving platter and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Serve alongside the warm marinara for dipping.

Steps:

• For the dipping sauce: Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vodka and crushed tomatoes. Return the skillet to medium heat and simmer, stirring often, until all the alcohol cooks off, about 7 minutes. Add the cream and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan and basil. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• For the pasta shells: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Drain in a colander, then spread the shells on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to absorb excess water.
• Add enough canola oil to come about 2 inches up the sides of a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 375 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Fry the pasta shells in batches, about 3 minutes each, using a spider or slotted spoon to rotate the shells halfway through. When golden brown and crisp, remove from the oil and let drain on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
• Pile the fried shells on a platter and shower with the Parmesan. Serve the warm dipping sauce garnished with additional torn basil on the side.

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position; preheat to 400°.
• Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a Dutch oven over high heat.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and the shells; cook, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente.
• Drain the shells and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool.
• Using a dinner fork, pry apart any shells that have clung together, discarding any that are badly torn (you should have 30-33 good shells).
• Filling-mix the ricotta, mozzarella, peas, mint, egg, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl.
• Spoon a tablespoon of the filling into each shell and arrange them, seam-side down, into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
• Cover the filled shells loosely with damp paper towels and set aside.
• Sauce-puree the canned tomatoes with their juice in a food processor fitted with the steel blade until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Heat the oil and garlic in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes.
• Add the pureed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, vodka, cream, and sugar; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until the flavors have melded and the sauce has thickened, 10-12 minutes.
• Off the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Discard the paper towels covering the filled shells and pour the tomato sauce over the top.
• Tilt the dish to distribute the sauce evenly and make sure each shell is covered with sauce (spoon over each shell if necessary).
• Cover with foil and bake until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the ricotta filling is hot, about 30 minutes.
• Cool for 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with basil and Parmesan before serving.