Embark on a culinary journey with orecchiette, chickpeas, and spinach, a delectable trio that dances on your palate. Originating from the sun-kissed region of Puglia, Italy, orecchiette, meaning "little ears" in Italian, are small, ear-shaped pasta that cradle hearty fillings and sauces. In this symphony of flavors, tender chickpeas, earthy spinach, and aromatic herbs unite in a vibrant dance, while a drizzle of tangy lemon and sprinkling of nutty Parmesan cheese elevate the dish to new heights. Alongside the classic orecchiette recipe, discover variations that showcase the versatility of this beloved pasta. Explore a delightful lemon and ricotta filling, a vibrant pesto sauce, or a rich tomato-based sauce, each offering a unique twist on this Italian masterpiece. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a culinary adventure with orecchiette, chickpeas, and spinach.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
ORECCHIETTE WITH SAUSAGE AND SPINACH
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the scallion whites and rosemary and cook until the scallions begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices and 1⁄2 cup of the boiling water. Let simmer while you cook the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
- Add the pasta to the tomato sauce along with the spinach and half of the scallion greens. Toss to coat the pasta and wilt the spinach, about 1 minute, gradually adding the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen. Season with salt, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and remove from the heat.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the pasta and toss well. Divide among plates or shallow bowls and top with the remaining scallion greens.
ORECCHIETTE WITH CHICKPEAS AND SPINACH
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories dinner, pastas, main course
Time 25m
Yield Four servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the bell peppers and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook just until wilted.
- Stir in the rosemary and the fowl glaze. Stir in the chickpeas. Cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste. Place the orecchiette in a large bowl. Add the spinach-and-chickpea mixture and toss to combine well. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Divide the orecchiette among 4 pasta bowls and serve immediately.
ORECCHIETTE WITH CHICKPEAS
Provided by Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez
Categories Mixer Pasta Appetizer Vegetarian Kid-Friendly Dinner Chickpea Fall Spring Summer Winter Healthy Party Gourmet Vegan Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher Small Plates
Yield Makes 8 (first course) servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Make sauce:
- Soak chickpeas in water to cover by 2 inches overnight (8 hours) or quick-soak (see cooks' note, below), then drain.
- Simmer chickpeas with whole garlic cloves and bay leaf in water to cover by 2 inches in a 4- to 5-quart pot, partially covered with lid, adding more water if necessary, until tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Drain chickpeas and discard garlic and bay leaf.
- Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook onion, celery, carrots, chopped garlic, red-pepper flakes (to taste), and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 12 minutes. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender and sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and sea salt to taste.
- Make orecchiette:
- Stir together water and sea salt in a bowl until salt has dissolved. Add semolina in a stream, beating with an electric mixer at medium speed until a stiff dough forms, about 2 minutes. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead with lightly floured hands (use all-purpose flour) until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Divide dough into 5 pieces and let stand under an overturned bowl 30 minutes.
- Line each of 2 trays (or a work surface) with a dry kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and dust with some semolina. Keeping remaining dough covered, roll 1 piece of dough into a 14-inch-long rope (about 3/4 inch thick) on an unfloured surface. Cut rope into 1/4-inch pieces. Dust your thumb with some flour and press down on each piece of dough, pushing away from you and twisting your thumb slightly to form an indented curled shape (like an ear). Transfer as formed to lined trays. Make more orecchiette with remaining dough. Let stand until dry, about 30 minutes.
- Cook orecchiette:
- Cook orecchiette in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente, then drain and toss with sauce.
ONE-PAN ORECCHIETTE WITH CHICKPEAS AND OLIVES
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine pasta, chickpeas, olives, tomato paste, garlic, rosemary, oil, pepper flakes, and 5 cups water in a large straight-sided skillet. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is reduced to a sauce that coats pasta, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat, discard rosemary, and stir in cheese. Add more water, a few tablespoons at a time, to thin sauce if necessary. Divide pasta and arugula among bowls and serve immediately, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with cheese and pepper flakes.
Tips:
- Use day-old orecchiette: This will help the pasta hold its shape and prevent it from becoming too mushy.
- Cook the chickpeas until they are tender but still have a slight bite to them: This will ensure that they don't become too soft and mushy.
- Sauté the spinach until it is just wilted: This will help to preserve its nutrients and flavor.
- Use a good quality olive oil: This will add flavor and richness to the dish.
- Season the dish to taste: This may include adding salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, or other spices.
- Serve the dish immediately: This will help to ensure that the pasta is still hot and the spinach is still vibrant green.
Conclusion:
This orecchiette with chickpeas and spinach is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try!
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