PASTA WITH SWISS CHARD, BACON, AND LEMONY RICOTTA CHEESE

Pasta with Swiss Chard, Bacon, and Lemony Ricotta Cheese image

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Coarse salt
1 pound cellantani (ridged corkscrew-shaped pasta) or other ridged short-cut pasta
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) (twice around the pan)
5 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
3 or 4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 bunch of Swiss chard, cleaned and coarsely chopped
1 cup chicken stock or broth
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (a few handfuls), plus some to pass at the table

Steps:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. When the water comes to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta al dente.
While the pasta cooks, preheat a large, deep skillet over moderate heat. Add the EVOO and bacon and cook until the bacon crisps, about 3 minutes. To the bacon add the garlic, onions, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until the onions are lightly caramelized. Add the chopped Swiss chard, toss to coat, and wilt the chard down. Turn the heat up to high and add the chicken stock and a couple of ladles, about a cup, of the starchy, boiling water from the cooking pasta. When the liquid comes up to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 6 to 7 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta with the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Place 1/4 cup of the ricotta mixture in the bottom of each of 4 pasta bowls and reserve.
Add the lemon juice to the Swiss chard. Drain the pasta well and toss with the greens for a minute or so to let the juices absorb into the pasta. Turn the heat off and add the grated Parmigiano cheese to the pasta and greens and continue to toss to distribute. Serve the pasta immediately, dishing it up on top of the ricotta cheese. Stir the lemony ricotta up in your bowl to mix with the pasta.