Orecchiette With Toasted Breadcrumbs Recipes

Steps:

• For the fennel: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Spray a small baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• Toss the fennel, oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Arrange the fennel in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast until golden and tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the sausage and break into 1/2-inch pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until all of the wine has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, parsley and capers. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the pasta, fennel and cheese. Toss until all ingredients are coated, adding the reserved pasta water as needed, to loosen the pasta.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Combine the garlic, oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium skillet over medium-low heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is golden and tender, about 25 minutes. Transfer the garlic to a bowl using a slotted spoon and smash with a fork.
• Add the cubed bread to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon, and when cool, crush into crumbs with your hands.
• Stir the anchovy into the skillet until dissolved. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the capers, red pepper flakes, mashed garlic, and a few grinds of pepper.
• Add the orecchiette to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the skillet with the cooking water and cheese. Toss to coat. Sprinkle the parsley and bread crumbs over the top and serve.

Steps:

• Mix semolina flour and salt in a large bowl or on a marble work surface. Make a well in the center.
• Pour water into the well a little at a time, mixing it with the flour. Add as much water as needed to make a sticky but compact dough.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is elastic and smooth, but not too soft, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
• Work with one portion of dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered to keep it from drying out. Dust a work surface with semolina flour; roll out the dough to make a rope, about 1/3 inch thick.
• Cut off little 1/3-inch thick pieces. Pick up knife with a rounded tip. Carefully hold one side of the dough with your index finger. Hold the knife in your other hand. Gently drag the small piece of dough towards you. Lift up the knife by the end in such a way that you get a thicker edge. You'll obtain a small disk of dough, thinner in the centre. Press the disk gently against your thumb and it will curve.
• Proceed the same way with the rest of the dough. Transfer orecchiette onto a floured surface and sprinkle with more semolina flour. Do not overlap orecchiette or they will stick together. Let dry for about 30 minutes before cooking.

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring to a boil 6 qts of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente; about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile in med-sized saute pan heat oil until warm. Since the bread crumbs will cook quickly, you don't want to add them into a hot pan.
• Add the breadcrumbs & stir constantly you may want to season lightly with salt & pepper, since flavored bread crumbs already have seasoning.
• Saute for about 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside.
• Drain pasta in colander. Working quickly; add pasta to saute pan & stir to combine.
• Add Parmesan & prosciutto & mix thoroughly.
• Pour into large serving bowl & garnish with chopped parsley.