Greenpastadough Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler with a rack set about 4 inches from the heat source.
• Put 1/4 cup of the sour cream, 1/4 cup iced water mixed with ice cubes, the sliced cucumbers, garlic, scallion whites and a large pinch salt in a blender. Blend until mostly smooth, then add the tomatoes. Blend until smooth, then remove the small cap on the lid of the blender and slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup of the oil while the blender is running. Season with additional salt if needed. Place the soup in the freezer while you prepare the quesadillas.
• Place the cannellini beans and a pinch black pepper in a bowl, and roughly mash with the back of a fork. Place 2 of the tortillas on a baking sheet without letting them overlap. Brush one side of the tortillas with some of the remaining olive oil. Flip, so the oiled side is directly on the baking sheet. Divide the mashed cannellini beans between the two tortillas and use a fork or your fingers to spread the mixture evenly on the tortillas, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Lay 3 pieces of the cheese on top of the beans on each tortilla (it is okay if the cheese overlaps slightly). Top with the remaining 2 tortillas and brush the tops of the tortillas with the remaining oil.
• Place the quesadillas under the broiler and cook until the top tortillas are crisp and lightly golden brown, about 1 minute. Use a spatula to flip the quesadillas and cook until the cheese is completely melted and the tortillas are crisp and lightly golden brown, about 1 additional minute. Cut each into 6 wedges.
• To serve, ladle (or pour directly from the blender carafe) the soup in to 4 chilled bowls and drizzle with additional olive oil and several grindings of freshly ground black pepper and some of the sliced green scallions. Serve 3 pieces of quesadilla on the side of each bowl of soup along with a dollop of the remaining sour cream and some pickled jalapenos.

Steps:

• Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Place a bowl filled with water and ice next to the stove top. Plunge the spinach into the boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Remove from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immerse in the ice water. When cooled, remove from the water, squeeze in a towel to dry and place in the bowl of a food processor. Puree until a very fine paste forms.
• Mound 3 1/2 cups of the flour in the center of a large wooden cutting board. Make a well in the middle of the flour and add the egg and spinach and the olive oil. Using a fork, beat together the eggs and oil and begin to incorporate the flour, starting with the inner rim of the well.
• As you expand the well, keep pushing the flour up from the base of the mound to retain the well shape. The dough will come together when half of the flour is incorporated.
• Start kneading the dough with both hands, using the palms of your hands. Once you have a cohesive mass, remove the dough from the board and scrape up and discard any leftover bits. Lightly re-flour the board and continue kneading for six more minutes. The dough should be elastic and a little sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. Roll out to the thinnest setting on a pasta rolling machine. Cut the pasta into 1/4-inch wide ribbons, place on a sheet tray that has been liberally sprinkled with semolina flour, cover with clean towels and set aside.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add cubed pork, and fry until browned on all sides. Add cabbage, potatoes, green pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green onions, leeks and garlic. Season with thyme, basil and oregano. Pour in the red wine and water.
• Cover, and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, until everything is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.