FRIED ZITI... "PEASANT PASTA"

Steps:

• 1. Cook Ziti al dente- drain and refrigerate to chill (can be done a day ahead of time). Transfer ziti to a cutting board and chop coarsely.
• 2. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil, add scallions, onions and garlic, sauté briefly 1 minute.
• 3. Add chopped ziti and sauté until the pasta starts to brown up and caramelize a bit -be sure to stir and shake the pan back or use a spoon to move the ziti around so you do not burn the pasta and you get some great color throughout the pasta.
• 4. Once you have some great brown color on the Ziti, add salt, pepper, oregano and the fresh herbs than add the sauce mixing and begin sauteing for another few minutes or so. I like to add Cooked Sweet sliced Italian Sausage at this time. Next add a couple of table spoons of the Asiago cheese and fold in.
• 5. Top the whole pan with the grated mozzarella and provolone evenly over the top along with the remaining Asiago cheese.
• 6. Bake in a preheated oven 400 degrees cook pasta for 20-30 minutes until brown and a bit crisp on the sides. Serve with some garlic bread and enjoy!
• 7. You can add any one of the following ingredients in place of the Sausage: Pepperoni- Diced Sautéed Mushrooms Fresh Spinach Meatballs (Cooked and Sliced) Sun dried Tomatoes
• 8. Check the full cooking demo and story behind this dish! www.thecookbookproject.net