Pasta Nicoise Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Cook the potatoes in the boiling water until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a colander with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add them to the bowl with the dressing. Cook the green beans in the boiling water until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the beans to the colander with the slotted spoon and run under cold water. Add them to the bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl.
• Add the tuna, celery, olives, anchovies and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water for pasta over high heat. Place a small saucepan of water over high heat. When small pan comes to a boil, add garlic and boil for 5 minutes. Cool, then peel. Place a large skillet over medium heat, warm the 3 tablespoons olive oil, and sauté garlic until golden and caramelized. Drain on paper towels, reserving oil in skillet; set skillet aside.
• When large pot of water comes to a boil, lightly salt it and add rigatoni; cook to taste, 12 to 15 minutes. While pasta cooks, place the skillet over medium-high heat, and add tuna. When tuna is seared but still pink inside, transfer to a plate. Add the beans to the skillet. When beans are cooked, drain off the olive oil (leave beans in pan) and add the extra virgin olive oil, the juice of half a lemon and the lemon rind. Stir, and add tomatoes, garlic, tuna, anchovies, parsley and half the basil leaves. Season with salt and pepper and more lemon juice to taste, if desired. Keep warm.
• Drain pasta well, and transfer to a large warm bowl. Add tuna mixture, and toss gently to mix. Garnish with remaining basil leaves, and serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and garlic; cook until the bacon starts to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the ground beef; cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Add the brandy, shallots, carrots, celery and tomato paste; cook until the vegetables soften, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Crush the tomatoes into the pan with your hands and add any juices from the can. Stir in the broth, bay leaf, orange peel and olives. Bring to a simmer and lower the heat; cover and cook 20 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat and bring to a boil to thicken the sauce.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil the gnocchi until one floats to the top, about 1 minute. Drain immediately to prevent the gnocchi from becoming mushy. Remove the orange peel and bay leaf from the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Toss the gnocchi with the sauce.

Steps:

• Trim the beans and cut in half. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add 1 tsp salt. Add the penne, bring to the boil and cook following pack instructions. Throw in the beans 5 mins before the end of the cooking time.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan, add the garlic and anchovies, and fry gently for a couple of mins, stirring to dissolve the anchovies in the oil. Add the tomatoes and cook for a few mins until softened but not pulpy.
• Drain the pasta and return to the pan, then add the tomato sauce and olives. Flake in the tuna and add the lemon juice and basil. Heat through and serve.