This pizza is about all things summer. I had a similar one from Rosso Pizzeria at a Tuesday night concert in the Healdsburg Plaza and knew instantly I wanted to reproduce it for NOURISH.
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Category Archives: Pasta & Pizza
Fregola Salad with White Beans and Arugula
Fregola is an Italian rolled pasta similar to Israeli couscous, and it’s wonderfully toothsome in this summer salad. Think of it as a new twist on old-school pasta salad. If you can’t find fregola (or wanted to go gluten free), millet would be a great substitute. Top with a few chunks of good quality tuna packed in olive oil (unless you want to keep it vegan) and you’ve got a nice, hearty, nourishing meal.
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Leek, Lemon and Cauliflower Fettuccine
I’m a big fan of cooking cauliflower until it’s almost creamy … especially in pasta dishes like this one. It becomes part of the sauce, adding heft and health to just a handful of fettuccine.
1 cup thinly sliced leeks (tender white parts only)
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
12 ounces fettuccine (preferably whole grain)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 lemon (Meyer lemon is great), zested and juiced
1/4 cup grated pecorino Romano cheese
Flake sea salt
1/4 cup snipped chives
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Pour 1/4 cup water into a large skillet over medium heat, and add leeks and cauliflower. Cover and cook for 4 minutes, until cauliflower is just becoming tender. Start cooking pasta. Drizzle olive oil into the pan with the cauliflower and toss with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until cauliflower and leek start to color a bit and cauliflower becomes fork tender, about 5 minutes.
Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup water. Pour the pasta water into the pan with the cauliflower and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and swirl in the butter, lemon zest and juice. Pour pasta back into the pot and scrape cauliflower mixture over it. Mix very well using tongs and a stiff spatula. Add cheese and toss again.
Divide the pasta mixture among four plates and top with flake sea salt, chives and additional cheese if desired.
Serves 4
Pork and Fennel Ragu
This quick ragu exemplifies my “double up-halvsies” trick. It’s got loads of onion and fennel, just a bit of pork for flavor, and half the pasta you’re used to. Yet it’s so hearty you’ll never miss the extra meat and pasta.
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cups onion, finely chopped
2 cups fennel bulbs, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, slightly crushed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 ounces lean ground pork
¼ cup dry white wine
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
(1) 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
8 ounces rigatoni, preferably whole grain
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Heat a large non nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl in olive oil and add onion, fennel and garlic. Sauté 5 minutes, until onion is translucent.
Add fennel seeds, oregano, pepper flakes, a pinch of salt and pepper, and pork to pan with onions and fennel. Stir to combine and brown pork for 3-4 minutes, chopping it up with the edge of a stiff spatula. Pour in wine and scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan while wine evaporates.
Add tomato and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes (or more if you have time), stirring occasionally. While sauce is simmering, boil pasta, drain and return to pot. Scrape sauce into pot with pasta and toss to coat well.
Serves 4
Pasta with Summer Squash, Sausage and Pesto
I pulled this pasta together one night when I had leftover sausage and summer squash in the fridge and a daughter eager to help out in the kitchen–the pesto came as much as an activity as an element of the dish. We went to the garden together to pick the basil and Noemi pounded the pesto together in our mortar and pestle. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, use a blender and add warm water by the tablespoon as needed to blend.
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Long-Rise Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
Whole wheat pizza dough can be heavy, but we’ve found that using a combination of flours and a long rise gives the yeast plenty of time lighten the texture. This no-knead method is based on Penni Wisner’s no-knead bread. You can double this pizza dough recipe and freeze the extra to make pizza another time (thaw the frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight).
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Baked Ancient Grain Fusilli with Veggie-Laden Marinara
One way to enjoy protein-rich ancient whole grains is in pasta in this baked fusilli. Kamut and Jovial einkorn are ancient forms of non-hybridized wheat. Another ancient grain that finds its way into pasta is quinoa. Experiment with different varieties: Kamut has a mild flavor and texture that’s pretty darned close to regular pasta (making it a good choice for whole-grain pasta newbies). Jovial einkorn is a bit heartier, while quinoa falls somewhere in between. I used fusilli here, but penne or elbow macaroni would work just as well. Because this is made with our veggie-packed marinara sauce, it’s a kid-friendly dish for little ones who are reluctant to eat their veggies.
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Farfalle with Sausage and Arugula Pesto
Right about now, I get to craving the aromatic bliss of basil. But it’s tough to find in winter, and tends to be somewhat bland–and expensive–if you do. My seasonal secret? I use arugula, which is abundant right now both in my garden and on market shelves. The fresher the arugula, the more pungent the whole experience will be; for even more punch, pound the pesto in a mortar and pestle. This recipe makes a double batch of arugula pesto. The extra will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or you can freeze it for up to 6 months. This garlicky, spicy pesto is terrific with roast chicken, as a sandwich spread or dolloped on crostini with goat cheese.
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Brussels Sprouts Carbonara with Whole Wheat Fusilli
Whole wheat fusilli and other pasta is a quick-cooking whole grain that pairs well with hearty ingredients like bold-flavored Brussels sprouts and a creamy dressing for a wintry weeknight dish. The liaison of egg yolks and a touch of cream lends the sauce a silky richness so it clings to the pasta. As winter gives way to spring, experiment with other vegetables, such as English peas in place of the Brussels sprouts. If you don’t happen to have pancetta on hand, substitute 2-3 slices of bacon. It’ll be just as delicious, albeit with smokier flavor. (Use the leftover egg whites from this recipe to make a batch of Saffron Cardamom Coconut Macaroons.)
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Spaghetti with Caramelized Cauliflower, Pepperoni and Capers
This dish is a great example of desperation being the greatest inspiration. I had some cauliflower cut up in the fridge (a great make ahead strategy) and some leftover pepperoni from pizza night and decided to throw them together in a simple pasta. It turned out to be delicious; the pepperoni and garlic flavor the oil for a no-effort-whatsoever sauce. Let the cauliflower get nice and brown before adding the garlic and pepperoni.
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 cups cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces (1 medium head)
Sea salt
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
3 ounces pepperoni slices, cut into thin strips
3 tablespoons nonpareil capers, drained
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
10 ounces whole grain spaghetti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti to al dente and drain.
While pasta is cooking, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and toss to coat with the oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Cook for 5-8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until cauliflower is browned and just almost tender all the way through.
Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil, and the garlic and pepperoni. Toss to coat. Cook another 3-5 minutes, until garlic is toasted and cauliflower can be pierced with a fork. Add 1/4 cup chicken stock and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add capers and pepper flakes and toss again.
Add drained spaghetti to pan and toss well to coat with sauce.
Serves 4