Best Pasta Ricotta And Beet Green Pie Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH BEET GREENS

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the spaghetti and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
• 2. Meanwhile, cut the beet green stems into 2-inch pieces. Cut the larger leaves into wide ribbons; leave the smaller ones whole. Swish the stems and then the leaves in a big bowl of cold water to clean (in batches if necessary); lift them from the bowl with your fingers, shake them off and blot with a paper towel-they don't have to be really dry.
• 3. Put the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the garlic until golden, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Increase the heat to medium; add the stems and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until you can insert the tip of a knife into the stems without resistance, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
• 4. Turn the heat to medium-high, add the beet greens and cook, tossing occasionally, until the greens are coated with oil and just starting to wilt. Season with salt and cook until the leaves are wilted and tender, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
• 5. Pour the pasta on top of the greens and salt lightly. Toss with tongs and add the reserved pasta water. Divide among 4 pasta bowls and top with reserved garlic slices and desired cheese.

PAPPARDELLE WITH GREENS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens (you may have to do this in two batches). After the water returns to a boil, boil two to four minutes until the greens are tender. Using a deep-fry skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer them to the ice water. Do not drain the hot water in the pot, as you'll use it to cook the pasta. Drain the greens, squeeze dry and chop.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the garlic, cook for about a minute just until fragrant, and stir in the greens. Toss in the hot pan for about a minute, just until the greens are lightly coated with oil and fragrant with garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Place the ricotta in a large pasta bowl. Bring the water for the pasta back to a boil, and add the pappardelle. Cook al dente. Ladle 1/2 cup of the cooking water from the pasta into the ricotta and stir together. Drain the pasta, and toss with the ricotta, greens and cheeses. Serve at once.

PASTA, RICOTTA AND BEET-GREEN PIE

Steps:

• To make the pasta, combine the water and olive oil in a large bowl. Gradually stir in the salt and enough flour to make a soft, pliable dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Shape it into a ball, cover with a damp towel and let rest for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, to make the filling, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the beet greens and blanch until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain well, squeeze dry and chop coarsely.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the onion and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the beet greens and saute for 3 minutes more. Let cool. In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, eggs, marjoram, salt and pepper. Stir in the beet green mixture. Set aside.
• Divide the dough into 4 pieces, making 2 pieces slightly larger than the others. On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch the larger pieces into rectangles about 12 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches and the smaller ones into rectangles about 11 by 6 inches, keeping the unused portions wrapped in a damp towel while you work.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush an 11 3/4-by-7 1/2-by-1 3/4-inch glass baking dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Place 1 of the larger rectangles in the bottom of the dish and brush with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta filling over the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Top with 1 of the smaller rectangles, brush with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, spread with 1/3 of the ricotta filling and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan.
• Repeat with the remaining small rectangle, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, the remaining ricotta filling and 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Top with the remaining pasta sheet and press the bottom sheet and the top sheet together, folding them over to form a rim. Brush with the remaining teaspoon of olive oil.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil and continue baking until the pasta is tender throughout, about 15 minutes longer. Preheat the broiler. Uncover the dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Broil until the cheese is browned, about 1 minute. Cut into squares and serve.