Pressure Cooker Three Cheese Ziti Recipe 445

Steps:

• Combine the water, onions, and salt in a 4-quart pressure cooker. Bring to a boil. Stir in the ziti. Pour the tomatoes on top of the ziti, crushing the tomatoes in you hand as you empty the can. Do not stir after you add the tomatoes. Add the garlic. Lock the lid in place. Over high heat bring to high pressure. Reduce the heat just enough to maintain high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Quick-release the pressure under cold water. Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow steam to escape. Stir in the Italian Herb Blend, ricotta, and parmesan. Separate any ziti that are stuck together and release any that are clinging to the bottom of the cooker. Distribute half of the mozzarella on top. Use a rubber spatula or large spoon to scoop ziti from the bottom and set it on top of the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the dish rest in the cooker for 3-5 minutes, giving the mixture time to thicken. If the pasta is not uniformly tender, cover the cooker during this period and cook over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is done. Serve in pasta bowls with a generous dusting of parmesan on top of each portion. Italian Herb Blend: Mix all ingredients in small bottle. Shake well. Store in a cook, dark place and use within 4 months. Variations: Stir in ¼ cup chopped fesh basil or parsley along with the chesses. Transfromations (follow basic recipe except as noted) Ziti with meat or fresh sausage: before adding water and onions, brown ½ pound ground meat (beef, pork, veal, or lamb) or fresh Italian sausage (sweet or hot; casings removed) in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Pour off any excess fat. When you add water, be sure to scrape up any browned bits sticking to bottom of cooker.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 4-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses in a bowl and place in the refrigerator.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
• At the same time, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break up into morsels. Sprinkle baking soda onto sausage, then add onion and garlic. Cook and stir, continuing to break up any clumps as it cooks, until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off and discard any grease.
• Add pasta sauce, olives, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, anchovy paste, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add up to 3 tablespoons more oil if desired, and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in ziti.
• Spread 1/2 of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese mixture evenly on top. Spoon or ladle the rest of the ziti evenly on top without disturbing the layers underneath; it's okay to have some ziti partially exposed as they will brown handsomely and deliciously as they bake. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese mixture on top and sprinkle Parmesan across the surface.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.