Best 3 Fried Ziti Peasant Pasta Recipes

FRIED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook about a minute less than the recommended cooking time. Drain the pasta and spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let cool and pat completely dry with paper towels.
• Pour about 2 inches of oil into a large Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 375 degrees F.
• Fry the pasta in 3 batches (about a cup each batch) until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to a mini processor or spice grinder, add the basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until finely ground.
• Remove the fried pasta from the oil, drain on paper towels, then sprinkle immediately with some of the seasoning mix. Repeat, working in batches, with the rest of the pasta and seasoning mix.
• Put the fried pasta on a serving platter and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Serve alongside the warm marinara for dipping.

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

PEASANT PASTA

Steps:

• Heat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan. Add sausage meat. Crumble sausage meat as it browns. Add chopped garlic to the pan. When all of the crumbles have browned evenly, deglaze the pan drippings using chicken or vegetable broth. Stir in crushed tomatoes and bring the sauce up to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir cream into your sauce, this will blush the color and cut the acidity of the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir peas and basil into your sauce to combine. Toss hot drained penne rigate in pan with the sauce, then transfer pasta to serving bowl.