Le Cirques Spaghetti Primavera Recipes

Steps:

• Trim broccoli and break into florets. Trim off ends of the zucchini. Cut into quarters, then cut into 1-inch or slightly longer lengths (about 1 1/2 cups). Cut each asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Trim beans and cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Cook each of the green vegetables separately in boiling salted water to cover until crisp but tender. Drain well, then run under cold water to chill, and drain again thoroughly. Combine the cooked vegetables in a bowl.
• Cook the peas and pods; about 1 minute if fresh; 30 seconds if frozen. Drain, chill with cold water and drain again. Combine with the vegetables.
• In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the peanut oil and add the mushrooms. Season to taste. Cook about 2 minutes, shaking the skillet and stirring. Add the mushrooms, chili and parsley to the vegetables.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan and add half the garlic, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook about 4 minutes. Add the basil.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and add the remaining garlic and the vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring gently, until heated through.
• Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until almost (but not quite) tender, retaining a slight resilience in the center. Drain well.
• In a pot large enough to hold the spaghetti and vegetables, add the butter and melt over medium-low heat. Then add the chicken broth and half a cup each of cream and cheese, stirring constantly. Cook gently until smooth. Add the spaghetti and toss quickly to blend. Add half the vegetables and pour in the liquid from the tomatoes, tossing over very low heat.
• Add the remaining vegetables. If the sauce seems dry, add 3 to 4 tablespoons more cream. Add the pine nuts and give the mixture a final tossing.
• Serve equal portions of the spaghetti mixture in hot soup or spaghetti bowls. Spoon equal amounts of the tomatoes over each serving. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Trim broccoli and break it into bite-size florets. Set aside.
• Trim off and discard the ends of zucchini. Do not peel the zucchini. Cut zucchini into quarters. Cut each quarter into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups, no more. Set aside.
• Cut each asparagus spear into thirds. Set aside.
• Cook each of the green vegetables separately in boiling salted water to cover. It is essential to cook each vegetable so that it remains crisp but tender. Cook broccoli, zucchini, asparagus and green beans about 5 minutes. Drain well, run under cold water to chill and drain. Combine in a mixing bowl.
• Cook peas and pea pods 1 minute if fresh, 30 seconds if frozen. Drain, chill and drain again. Combine all vegetables in mixing bowl.
• Heat oil in a skillet and add mushrooms. Add salt and pepper to taste, shaking the skillet and stirring. Cook about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms to the vegetables. Add chopped chilies and parsley.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan and add half the garlic, all the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Cook about 4 minutes, stirring gently so as not to break up the tomatoes more than necessary. Add basil, stir and set aside.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet and add remaining garlic along with vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring gently, just to heat through.
• Drop the spaghetti into boiling salted water. Cook until al dente. Drain well. Return spaghetti to pot.
• Select utensil large enough to hold drained spaghetti and vegetables. To this, add butter. When it melts, add chicken broth, 1/2 cup cream and cheese, stirring constantly. Cook gently on and off heat until smooth. Add spaghetti and toss quickly to blend. Add half the vegetables and pour in liquid from the tomatoes, tossing over very low heat.
• Add remaining vegetables and, if sauce seems too dry, add about 1/4 cup more cream. Sauce should not be soupy. Add pine nuts and give mixture final tossing
• Serve equal portions of the spaghetti mixture in 4-to-8 soup or spaghetti bowls, depending on whether spaghetti is being served as main course or appetizer. Spoon equal amounts of tomatoes over each serving. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Bring 1 gallon of water with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a boil. Let simmer until ready to cook the pasta.
• In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan, bring a quart of water with 1/2 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add the fresh peas and cook for 3 minutes. Drain, cool the peas under cold running water and drain again. Set the peas aside.
• In the same saucepan, combine the heavy cream, mascarpone, butter, Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook slowly over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large skillet, place 2 tablespoons olive oil and toast the pine nuts over high heat until light brown. Add the mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, asparagus and jalapeno pepper, and cook, stirring, for 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the peas and set aside.
• Warm the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and basil and cook slowly for 2 minutes. Do not allow the garlic to color. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, and cook another 3 to 4 minutes. Mix with the sauteed vegetables.
• Just before serving, add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water, plunge the spaghetti into the water, stir and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until al dente. Drain and return the spaghetti to the pot. Add the reserved Parmesan cream sauce, the chives and half of the sauteed vegetable mixture. Toss well for two minutes and add a little additional Parmesan cheese if the sauce needs thickening.
• Pour the spaghetti mixture into a warm bowl. Sprinkle the remaining vegetables over it. Decorate with basil leaves and serve grated Parmesan cheese on the side.