Pappardelle with fresh ricotta, squash blossoms, and basil oil is a delightful Italian dish that combines the flavors of summer squash, creamy ricotta, and fragrant basil. Pappardelle, a wide, flat noodle, provides a sturdy base for the light and delicate ingredients. The fresh ricotta adds a creamy richness, while the squash blossoms bring a touch of sweetness and a hint of bitterness. The basil oil, made from fresh basil leaves and olive oil, adds a vibrant green color and a herbaceous aroma. This dish is a symphony of flavors and textures that is sure to impress your taste buds and is perfect for a light and flavorful meal.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PAPPARDELLE WITH FRESH RICOTTA, SQUASH BLOSSOMS AND BASIL OIL
Ricotta is one of the great undersung cheeses and can be used in dozens of ways. Bake it in a hot oven in an earthenware dish with a little olive oil and rosemary, then spread it on toast for an antipasto or snack. Mix it with chopped cooked spinach or chard for filling ravioli or layering into baked pasta. Or, as is done here, fold the cheese into pappardelle noodles with barely cooked zucchini and squash blossoms and serve with basil oil and grated pecorino for a sensational summer pasta.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, quick, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- To make the basil oil, in a small dish stir together the basil, garlic, lemon zest and olive oil. Add a little salt and pepper. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook until al dente.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and cook until barely done, 1 or 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Tear the squash blossoms into strips.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Add pappardelle to the skillet with the zucchini. Add squash blossoms, ricotta and a little salt and pepper. Quickly stir together with 2 wooden spoons, leaving the ricotta a little chunky. Add pasta water if necessary and transfer to a warm serving bowl.
- At the table, top each serving with 2 teaspoons basil oil and a sprinkling of grated pecorino.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 503, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 406 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
SQUASH BLOSSOMS STUFFED WITH RICOTTA
Talk about flower power. As every gardener knows, late summer brings a bumper crop of zucchini and, better yet, of zucchini blossoms-known in Italy as fiori di zucca. Here, the tender yellow-orange blooms are filled with ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and mint, then batter-fried. Served alongside an easy tomato sauce (dip as you like), they make an irresistible first course or, with the addition of a green salad, a satisfying main.
Provided by Andrea Albin
Categories Tomato Quick & Easy Dinner Parmesan Ricotta Mint Summer Deep-Fry Gourmet Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 4 (first course) or 2 (main course) servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make tomato sauce:
- Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil in a 2-quarts heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, water, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare squash blossoms:
- Stir together ricotta, yolk, mint, 1/3 cup parmesan, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
- Carefully open each blossom and fill with about 2 rounded teaspoon ricotta filling, gently twisting end of blossom to enclose filling. (You may have filling left over.)
- Whisk together flour, remaining 1/3 cup parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and seltzer in a small bowl.
- Heat 1/2 inch oil to 375°F in a 10-inch heavy skillet. Meanwhile, dip half of blossoms in batter to thinly coat. Fry coated blossoms, turning once, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Coat and fry remaining blossoms. (Return oil to 375°F between batches.) Season with salt. Serve with tomato sauce.
Tips:
- Select the freshest ingredients. High-quality ingredients make all the difference in the final dish, so be sure to choose the freshest vegetables, herbs, and cheese you can find.
- Use a large skillet or Dutch oven. This will give the pasta plenty of room to cook and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. If you add too much pasta to the pan, it will clump together and not cook evenly.
- Cook the pasta al dente. This means that it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it.
- Make the sauce while the pasta is cooking. This will help ensure that everything is ready at the same time.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. This will help distribute the sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and grated cheese. This will add a pop of color and flavor to the dish.
Conclusion:
This pappardelle with fresh ricotta, squash blossoms, and basil oil is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The creamy ricotta and delicate squash blossoms pair perfectly with the flavorful basil oil, and the pappardelle pasta provides a hearty base for the dish. This recipe is sure to impress your guests, and it is also a great way to use up fresh summer produce.
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