Best Orecchiette With Salad Turnips Spinach Shiitakes And Bacon Recipes

ORECCHIETTE WITH BACON, LEMON AND CREAM

Steps:

• Cook the bacon: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 cup water and the bacon slices. Cook until all of the water evaporates and the bacon becomes crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a kitchen towel to drain, reserving the fat in a separate bowl.
• Make the sauce: In a large skillet, whisk together the heavy cream and sour cream. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Simmer the cream mixture over medium heat, whisking, until it thickens, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
• Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring 6 quarts water to a rolling boil and season with 1/2 cup salt. The pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the orecchiette to the boiling water and stir with a slotted spoon to make sure it does not clump or stick to the bottom as it cooks. Cook until the pasta is al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta in a large colander, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water in case you need it to adjust the sauce.
• Finish the dish: Reheat the pasta sauce over medium heat until it simmers gently. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the pasta to rest for 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the bacon, some of the reserved bacon fat, an additional splash of lemon juice, chives and pasta water (if needed) to make a sauce that lightly coats the pasta. Serve immediately.

ORECCHIETTE WITH SPINACH, GARLIC AND BACON

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions on the box.
• While frying your bacon, defrost spinach in the microwave according to directions.
• Sauté onion in olive oil until tender; add the garlic and sauté two more minutes. Add the spinach to the onions.
• Crumble the bacon and add to the mixture.
• Turn the heat to low to keep spinach mixture warm while the pasta finishes cooking.
• When pasta is cooked, drain and place in shallow bowls, spoon spinach mixture over pasta and serve.
• •Serving Suggestion: Sprinkle grated cheese over top.

SPINACH SALAD WITH SEARED SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Mix together the vinegar and lemon juice with the garlic, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard using a fork or a small whisk. Whisk in the olive oil and the yogurt or buttermilk if using. Set aside.
• Combine the spinach, nuts, celery, and goat cheese in a salad bowl.
• Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil and when very hot, add the mushrooms. Shake the pan once, then let the mushrooms cook without moving them around until they begin to sweat and soften (watch closely). After about a minute or two, when they have begun to sear and release moisture, you can move them around in the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Add to the spinach mixture and toss with the dressing. Serve at once.

TURNIP AND BABY SPINACH SALAD WITH WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss turnips with oiland 1/2 teaspoon salt on a rimmed bakingsheet. Roast, tossing after 15 minutes, untilgolden brown and tender, about 35 minutes.
• Whisk together vinegar, mustard,1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Wash turnip greens well, and tear into3-inch pieces. Toss greens with spinach.
• About 5 minutes before turnips are finishedroasting, heat a small high-sidedskillet over medium-high heat. Cook bacon,stirring, until crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Addshallot, and cook until soft, 1 to 2 minutes.Remove from heat, and stir in vinegarmixture. Fold warm bacon vinaigrette intogreens, and divide evenly among 4 plates.Top with roasted turnips and pecans.