Best Fiddlehead Ferns And Angel Hair Pasta Recipes

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FIDDLEHEAD FERNS



Fiddlehead Ferns image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound fiddlehead ferns
3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon parsley, chopped (optional)
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Before you're ready to cook cut about 1/8-inch off the thick ends if they look brown and rinse the fern shoots thoroughly to get rid of the brown fuzzy chaff that clings to their sides. Dry the shoots thoroughly before cooking by first spinning them in a lettuce spinner and then patting them with paper towels. Melt butter in a pan at medium heat. Add garlic, parsley and fiddleheads to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Saute for 5 minutes or until they are done.

SPRING FIDDLEHEAD PASTA



Spring Fiddlehead Pasta image

Here's a dish that turns a modest amount of fiddlehead ferns into a meal (or a nice first course). Ricotta, butter and some of the starchy pasta-cooking water make a creamy sauce. Lemon and pepper give all that richness a little pizzazz. If you have a chunk of sharp pecorino on hand, pass it with a grater at the table.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Kosher salt
12 ounces fusilli pasta
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups fiddlehead ferns

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until very al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
  • Combine the ricotta, lemon zest and a few grinds of black pepper in small bowl and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to foam, add the fiddleheads and sprinkle with pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring gently, until the fiddleheads are crisp-tender and caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the fiddleheads to a bowl. Add the lemon juice, cooked pasta and reserved water to the skillet and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly and the pasta is al dente. Add the ricotta mixture and lightly toss until the pasta is just coated.
  • Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the fiddleheads and a few grinds of black pepper.

FIERY ANGEL HAIR PASTA



Fiery Angel Hair Pasta image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound angel hair pasta
1/2 cup Chili Oil, recipe follows
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons lemon zest
Coarse sea salt
Dried crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel, optional
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
2 cups olive oil
4 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
  • Stir the oil, parsley, lemon juice and lemon peel in a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and toss with enough reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and red pepper flakes, to taste. Sprinkle grated lemon peel over pasta for extra flavor and texture. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.
  • Combine the oil and crushed red pepper flakes in a heavy small saucepan. Cook over low heat until a thermometer inserted into the oil registers 180 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Transfer the oil and pepper flakes to a 4-ounce bottle. Seal the lid. Refrigerate up to 1 month.
  • Yield: 2 cups
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours

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