Pasta Papa Recipes

Steps:

• Sort through the beans and remove any stones. To soak the beans, put them in a large bowl, cover them with cold water and allow them to soak, covered, overnight. Or use the quick-soak method below.
• Quick-soak method: Put the beans in a colander and rinse under water. Put the beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover the beans by at least 3 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the beans stand for 1 hour.
• Drain and rinse the soaked beans and transfer them to a large pot. Add enough water to cover the beans by at least 3 inches. Add the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic, jalapeno, bay leaf and onion to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to bring it to a simmer. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 2 to 3 1/2 hours.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, fennel, and garlic and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until tender. Add the ciabatta cubes and cook for 5 more minutes. Place the tomatoes in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process just until coarsely chopped. Add the tomatoes to the pot along with the chicken stock, red wine, basil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat, and allow to simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the topping, place the ciabatta cubes, pancetta, and basil on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss well. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until all the ingredients are crisp. The basil leaves will turn dark and crisp, which is perfectly fine. Reheat the soup, if necessary, beat with a wire whisk until the bread is broken up. Stir in the Parmesan and taste for seasoning. Serve hot sprinkled with the topping and drizzled with additional olive oil.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a 13x9-in. baking dish, combine tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup olive oil. Place the block of feta in the center, moving tomatoes so cheese is sitting on the pan bottom. Drizzle feta with remaining oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until tomatoes skins start to split and the garlic has softened, 30-40 minutes. , Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. , Stir feta mixture, lightly pressing tomatoes, until combined. Add pasta and toss to combine. Stir in enough reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. Sprinkle with basil.

Steps:

• Combine potatoes, 2 cups olive oil, and 3 teaspoons salt in a large cold skillet. Heat on low and cook until potatoes are softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Increase heat to high and fry until golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion with 1 teaspoon salt in the hot oil until onion has softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, chile, and smoked paprika; simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and return to a simmer. Transfer tomato mixture to a blender, cover, and puree until tomato sauce is smooth.
• Serve patatas bravas with tomato puree and and mayonnaise for dipping.