Conchiglie Pasta with Pumpkin and Mozzarella Butter
Conchiglie means 'shell' or 'seashell' and this shell shaped is wonderful to use with rich, creamy sauces or to fill and bake in your favourite sauce. This recipe which includes pumpkin and mozzarella is a new and slightly unusual way of using one of Italy's favourite cheeses.
Serves 2
Ingredients
600g butternut squash
1 ball buffalo mozzarella
1 small bunch sage
1 clove garlic
200g conchiglie pasta
1 lemon
50g grated Parmesan
3 tablespoons olive oil
20g butter
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat an oven to 200˚C. Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds and cut into 2 cm cubes. Place in a roasting dish with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for about 20 minutes.
Finely chop the garlic cove and pick the sage leaves. Cut the mozzarella into small cubes and ensure the butter is at room temperature. Grate the zest from the lemon. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil.
Heat a small pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil and fry the garlic and sage leaves for 2 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Keep a few sage leaves back to finish the dish off and place the garlic, remaining sage, butter, mozzarella, lemon zest and juice in a jug or food processor and blend. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta for about 9 minutes. Keep a cup of the pasta cooking liquid and drain off the pasta, returning it to the pan. Mix the mozzarella butter through the pasta along with the pumpkin and half the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and add some of the pasta cooking water if necessary.
Divide the pasta between 2 plates. Sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan and sage leaves. Serve straight away.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
600gr flespompoen
1 bol buffel mozzarella
1 klein bosje salie
1 teentje knoflook
200gr conchiglie
1 citroen
50gr geraspte Parmezaan
3 eetlepels olijfolie
30 gr boter
zout en peper
Bereiding
Verwarm een oven voor op 200˚C. Schil de flespompoen, verwijder de zaadjes en snijd 1 blokjes van 2 cm. Doe ze in een ovenschaal met 2 eetlepels olijfolie, zout en peper en rooster ongeveer 25 minuten.
Snijd de knoflook fijn en pluk de salieblaadjes. Snijd de mozzarella in kleine stukjes en zorg dat de boter op kamertemperatuur is. Rasp de schil van de citroen. Breng een pan met water en zout aan de kook.
Verwarm een pannetje op medium vuur met 1 eetlepel olijfolie en bak de knoflook en salieblaadjes 2 minuten. Laat even afkoelen. Bewaar een paar salie blaadjes en doe knoflook, resterende salie, boter, mozzarella, citroenrasp en sap naar smaak in een beker of keukenmachine en blend. Breng op smaak met zout en peper. Doe in een kom en zet in de koeling.
Kook de pasta ongeveer 8 minuten in de gezouten water. Bewaar 1 kopje van de kookvocht en giet af. Doe de pasta terug in de pan. Meng de mozzarellaboter door de pasta met de pompoen en de helft van de Parmezaan. Breng op smaak met zout en peper en voeg wat van het kookvocht toe, indien nodig.
Verdeel de pasta over 2 borden. Bestrooi met de resterende Parmezaan en salieblaadjes en serveer.
Meatballs with Fennel and Ricotta
We know that we've been talking a lot recently about comfort food. The truth is really, that during the this strange time we're all experiencing and the lack of human contact, there's nothing better than plate of something delicious and comforting to lift us up and give us a big culinary hug.
Serves 2
Ingredients
8 veal meatballs of 50g each (bought from a butcher or self-made)
250g ricotta
2 onions
2 bulbs fennel
30g panko
1/2 chicken stock cube
30g grated Parmesan
35g pine nuts
600g floury potatoes
5 tablespoons olive oil
splash of milk
50g butter
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat an oven to 200°C. Finely slice the onion and fennel. Reserve the green herby ends of the fennel. Dissolve ½ the stock cube in 200 ml hot water. Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks. Place in a pan of salted water and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes until soft. Drain off the water and mash the potatoes. Add 50 g butter and a splash of milk, stirring until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm over a low heat.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 3 tablespoons olive oil and sweat the onions for 10 minutes until golden brown. Add the fennel and fry for a further 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the stock and boil to reduce by half. Transfer to a roasting dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the frying pan and fry the meatballs until golden. Add to the roasting dish with the onions and fennel.
Spoon the ricotta around the meatballs and sprinkle over the grated Parmesan, panko and pine nuts. Place in the oven for 12-15 minutes until the top is lightly coloured.
Finely chop the reserved herby fennel. Reheat the mashed potatoes. Remove the meatballs from the oven and sprinkle over the chopped fennel. Serve with the mashed potatoes.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
8 kalfsgehaktballetjes van 50gr per stuk (gekocht of zelfgemaakt)
250gr ricotta
2 uien
2 venkel
30gr panko
1/2 kippenbouillon blokje
30gr geraspte Parmezaan
25gr pijnboompitjes
600gr kruimige aardappels
5 eetlepels olijfolie
scheutje melk
50gr boter
zout en peper
Bereiding
Verwarm een oven voor op 200° C. Snijd de uien en venkel fijn. Bewaar het groen van de venkel. Los ½ van het bouillonblokje op in 200 ml warm water. Schil de aardappels en snijd ze in stukken. Breng ze in een pan met koud water en zout aan de kook. Kook ze zachtjes ongeveer 15 minuten totdat ze zacht zijn. Giet het water van de aardappelen af en stamp ze fijn. Voeg 50 gr boter en een scheutje melk toe. Breng op smaak met zout en peper en houd warm op een laag vuurtje.
Verwarm een koekenpan met 3 eetlepels olijfolie en smoor de uien in 10 minuten goudbruin. Voeg de venkel toe en bak nog eens 5 minuten, breng op smaak met zout en peper.
Voeg de bouillon toe en laat voor de helft inkoken. Doe ze in een ovenschaal. Voeg 2 eetlepels olijfolie toe in een koekenpan en bak de gehaktballetjes rondom goudbruin. Voeg ze toe aan de ovenschaal met de uien en venkel.
Lepel de ricotta eromheen en besprenkel met de geraspte Parmezaan, broodkruim en pijnboompitjes. Zet in de oven ongeveer 12-15 minuten, totdat de bovenkant licht gekleurd is
Hak het groen van de venkel fijn. Verwarm de aardappelpuree. Haal de gehaktballetjes uit de oven, bestrooi met het venkelgroen en serveer met de aardappelpuree.
Stuffed Tomatoes
Tomatoes are incredibly versatile and are at the best towards the end of summer when they have had time to absorb the sun's rays and become beautifully ripe and flavourful.
English
serves 2
Ingredients
4 beef steak tomatoes
1 shallot
1 clove garlic
20g panko
3 sprigs thyme
1 small bunch chives
400g minced veal
1 small bunch flat leaf parsley
50g grated Parmesan
4 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat an oven to 210°C. Finely chop the shallot and garlic. Heat a frying pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sweat the shallot for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further 1 minute.
Slice off the top of the tomatoes (this is the lid) and set aside. Scoop out the flesh and finely chop.
Finely chop the chives and parsley. Pick the thyme leaves from the stalks. In a bowl mix the shallot, garlic, panko, thyme and half the chives and parsley with the minced veal and season with salt and pepper. Fill the tomatoes with the meat mixture.
Place the chopped tomato flesh in a roasting dish and place the tomatoes on top. Replace the lids on the already stuffed tomatoes and bake in the oven for 20 – 30 minutes.
Remove the tomatoes from the oven and sprinkle over the grated Parmesan, parsley and chives and serve.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
4 coeur de boeuf tomaten
1 sjalotje
1 teentje knoflook
20gr panko
3 takjes tijm
1 bosje bieslook
400gr kalfsgehakt
1 bosje bladpeterselie
50gr geraspte Parmezaan
4 eetlepels olijfolie
zout en peper
Bereiding
Verwarm de oven voor op 210 C. Snijd knoflookteentje en sjalotje fijn. Verwarm een koekenpannetje met 1 eetlepel olijfolie en smoor hierin het sjalotje 2 minuten en voeg dan knoflook toe voor nog eens 1 minuut.
Snijd het kapje van de tomaten af en zet opzij. Haal het vruchtvlees uit de tomaten en hak het fijn.
Hak de bieslook en peterselie fijn. Pluk de blaadjes van de takjes tijm. Meng de sjalot, knoflook, panko, tijm, de ½ van de bieslook en peterselie door het gehakt in een kom. Breng op smaak met zout en peper.
Doe het vruchtvlees in de ovenschaal en zet de tomaten er bovenop. Zet de deksels van de tomaten op de gevulde tomaten en zet de schaal in de oven voor 20-30 minuten.
Haal de tomaten uit de oven en rasp er Parmezaan overheen. Verdeel ze over 2 borden.
Grilled Chicken Caesar
The Caesar salad is an absolute classic. It's known all around the world and comes in many different variations. The classic being only with anchovies and Parmesan. Ours includes grilled chicken to make it a more substantial meal.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
1 lemon
half tin anchovies
100g grated Parmesan
1 ciabatta roll
1 clove garlic
2 baby gem lettuces
5 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
a few drops of Tabasco
1/2 teaspoon Dijon or other mustard
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Cut the ciabatta into 3 cm cubes and place in a roasting tray. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Mix the ingredients together and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crunchy.
Slice the chicken breasts lengthways in half. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Slice off the bottom end of the baby gem and discard. Separate the leaves, rinse them gently under cold running water and dry off in a clean tea towel or in a salad spinner.
Prepare the dressing: mix the mayonnaise with the juice of half the lemon, the mustard, finely chopped garlic clove, salt and pepper. Add enough cold water until the dressing is the consistency of yoghurt. Add a few drops of Tabasco, if you have it available.
Place the grill pan over a high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden and cooked through.
Using a large bowl, mix together the salad leaves, dressing, anchovies, croutons and ¾ of the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the salad between 2 plates. Lay 2 chicken breast halves on each salad and finish by scattering with the remaining Parmesan.
Nederlands
voor 2 pesonen
Ingredienten
2 kipfilets, zonder vel
2 little gem sla
1 ciabatta broodje
halve blik ansjovis
1 citroen
1 teen knoflook
100g geraspte Parmezaan
5 eetlepels olijfolie
4 eetlepels mayonaise
paar drupples Tobasco
½ theelepel dijon of andere mosterd
zout en peper
Bereiding
Snijd de kipfilets doormidden. Besprenkel met de olijfolie en strooi wat zout en peper erover heen.
Snijd het stronkje uit de sla. Maak de blaadjes los. Was heel licht onder de kraan met koud water en droog ze af.
Maak de dressing. Meng de mayonaise met het sap van een halve citroen, een paar druppels Tobasco, de mosterd, het zout en peper. Voeg een beetje koud water toe en meng het tot een dikte van yoghurt.
Verhit een grill pan op hoog vuur. Gril de kipfilets 2 minuten op elke kant tot ze goudbruin en gaar zijn.
In een kom de sla mengen met de dressing, ansjovis, croutons en driekwart van de parmezaanse kaas. Meng alles goed door elkaar en breng op smaak met zout en peper.
Verdeel de sla over twee borden. Leg twee stukjes kip bovenop en maak af met de resterende parmezaanse kaas.
White Asparagus with Parmesan Fondue, Poached Egg and Prosciutto
A twist on the classic white asparagus and poached egg. Instead of the classic Hollandaise, we've paired it with Italian flavours of Parmesan and Prosciutto.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
10 white asparagus
1 clove garlic
50g grated Parmesan
125ml cream
2 eggs
6 slices prosciutto
50g baby spinach
4 tablespoons olive oil
100ml white wine
20g butter
1 teaspoon sugar
capful white wine vinegar
salt and pepper
Method
Bring a pan of water to the boil for the eggs. Peel the asparagus with a vegetable peeler and cut a piece of the base off. Reserve the asparagus peelings. Finely grate the garlic clove.
Heat a pan with 100 ml white wine and the grated garlic. Bring to the boil and reduce by half. Add the cream and cook to reduce slightly. Add half the Parmesan and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Place the asparagus in a pan with cold water; add salt to taste, 20 g butter and 1 teaspoon sugar. Lay the peelings over the asparagus so that they stay submerged. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and leave the asparagus, covered with a lid, to cook through in the hot liquid, about 7-10 minutes depending on their size.
Add a capful of white wine vinegar to the pan of gently simmering water. Crack the eggs into a cup and add carefully to the simmering water. Poach for 2-3 minutes; the yolk should still remain soft. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Reheat the Parmesan fondue.
Remove the asparagus from the pan and drain on a tea towel. Divide the spinach between 2 plates and lay on the asparagus. Place the prosciutto slices around. Top the asparagus with a poached egg and spoon over the Parmesan fondue. Sprinkle over the remaining grated Parmesan and serve.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
10 stukswitte asperges
1 teentje knoflook
50g geraspte Parmezaan
125ml slagroom
2 eieren
6 pakjes proscuitto
50g jonge spinazie
4 eetlepels olijfolie
100ml witte wijn
20g boter
1 theelepel suiker
dopje witte wijnazijn
zout en peper
Bereiding
Breng een pannetje met water aan de kook voor de eieren. Schil de asperges met een dunschiller en snijd een stukje van de onderkant af. Bewaar de schilletjes. Rasp het knoflookteentje fijn.
Verwarm een pannetje met 60 ml witte wijn en de gesneden knoflook, kook voor de helft in. Voeg de slagroom toe en kook licht in. Voeg de helft van de Parmezaan toe en klop glad met eemn garde. Breng op smaak met zout en peper en zet opzij.
Doe de asperges in een pan met koud water en voeg zout naar smaak, 20 gr boter en 1 theelepel suiker toe. Leg de schilletjes er bovenop zodat de asperges onder het water blijven. Breng aan de kook, laat 1 minuut koken, zet dan het vuur uit en laat de asperges afgedekt nagaren in het hete vocht ongeveer 7-10 minuten afhankelijk van de dikte van de asperges.
Voeg een dopje witte wijnazijn toe aan de pan met zachtjes kokend water. Breek de eieren in een kopje en leg ze voorzichtig in het water. Pocheer ze voor 2-3 minuten. De dooier moet nog zacht zijn. Haal ze er uit met een schuimspaan en laat uitlekken. Warm de Parmezaan fondue op.
Haal de asperges uit de pan en laat ze goed uitlekken op een theedoek. Verdeel de spinazie over 2 borden en leg hierop de asperges. Leg de plakjes proscuitto er omheen. Leg het gepocheerde ei op de asperges en lepel de Parmezaan fondue over het ei. Strooi de resterende geraspte Parmezaan eroverheen en leg de spinazieblaadjes ernaast.
Fish in Parmesan Crust with Courgette and Spinach Salad
A really light and satisfying dinner using only just a few basic ingredients.
Serves 2
English
Ingredients
60g finely grated Parmesan
2 plaice fillets of 150g each (or other white fish)
1 egg
1 red chilli
1 lemon
2 courgettes
75g baby spinach
3 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons flour salt and pepper
Method
Finely chop the red chilli. Using a vegetable peeler, pull thin ribbons from the courgette, making sure to stop once you reach the seeds. Place the courgette ribbons in a bowl.
Place 4 tablespoons flour on to a plate and mix salt and pepper through. Crack an egg on another plate and beat to loosen. Plaice the grated Parmesan on a third plate.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 3 tablespoons sunflower oil. Dust the fish through the flour, then dip in the egg and finally in the Parmesan. Fry the fish on both sides until golden.
Dress the courgette with 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and chilli to taste, salt and pepper. Mix through the spinach. Divide the salad between 2 plates, lay the fish on the side and serve.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
60g fijn geraspte Parmezaan
2 scholfilets a 150g per stuk (of een andere witvis)
1 ei
1 rode chilipeper
1 citroen
2 courgettes
75g jonge spinazie
3 eetlepels zonnebloemolie
2 eetlepels olijfolie
4 eetlepels bloem
zout en peper
Bereiding
Snijd de rode chilipeper fijn. Trek met een dunschiller lange slierten van de courgettes totdat je bij de zaadjes komt en doe ze in een kom.
Doe 4 eetlepels bloem op een bord en meng er wat zout en peper doorheen. Breek het ei in een ander bord en klop het los. Doe de geraspte Parmezaan op een derde bord.
Verwarm een koekenpan op medium vuur met 3 eetlepels zonnebloemolie. Haal de vis door de bloem, vervolgens door het ei en daarna door de Parmezaan. Bak de vis, aan elke kant goudbruin.
Maak de courgette aan met 2 eetlepels olijfolie, citroensap en chilipeper naar smaak, zout en peper. Meng de spinazie erdoorheen. Verdeel over 2 borden, leg de vis er naast en serveer.
Courgette Carbonara
Serves 2
Ingredients
150 g spaghetti (regular, wholewheat or spelt)
2 courgettes
1 onion
1 clove garlic
3 eggs
50g grated Parmesan
50g grated Pecorino
1 small bunch of basil
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Method
Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Coarsely grate the courgettes and finely chop the onion and garlic. In a bowl, whisk together 1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sweat the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further 1 minute. Add the grated courgette and fry for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the spaghetti in the pan boiling water according to the instructions on the pack. Pick the basil leaves. Drain the spaghetti, reserving a cup of the cooking water.
Mix the spaghetti with the courgette mixture. Remove the pan from the heat, add the eggs and half of each cheese. Mix all the ingredients well and add some of the pasta cooking liquid to create a ‘creamy’ pasta. Add some extra salt and pepper if necessary.
Divide the pasta between 2 bowls. Scatter over the basil leaves and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
Mushroom Carbonara
A vegetarian version of one of our favourite pasta dishes.
Serves 2
Ingredients
500 g mixed mushrooms
200 g tagliatelle
3 sprigs thyme
2 cloves garlic
4 eggs
250 ml cream
75 g grated Parmesan
Olive oil (3 tablespoons)
Salt
Pepper
Method
1
Bring a pot of salted water to the boil for the pasta. Finely chop the garlic. Wipe the mushrooms clean with a piece of kitchen paper and remove the hard stalks. Cut the mushrooms in half, if necessary.
2
Heat a frying pan with 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Strip the thyme leaves off the stalks. Fry the mushrooms for about 4 minutes until golden brown. Add the garlic and thyme leaves to the pan for the final minute of cooking.
3
Place the tagliatelle in the pot of boiling water and cook for about 4-6 minutes or until al dente. Drain the pasta off and return to the pot. Separate the eggs; place the yolks in a small bowl and whisk together with 200 ml of the cream, salt and pepper.
4
Mix the tagliatelle with the egg and cream mixture, the fried mushrooms and half the Parmesan, until the egg yolks warm through and begin to thicken and coat the pasta (you might need to do this over a very low heat). Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the pasta into a bowl and scatter with the remaining Parmesan.
Tomato, Basil and Parmesan Quiche
Ingredients
Pastry
280 g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
140 g cold butter, cut into pieces
a pinch of salt
Filling
300 g cherry tomatoes
10 ml fresh thyme leaves
salt and pepper
drizzle olive oil
50 g parmesan, grated
2 eggs
250 ml cream
small bunch basil leaves, shredded, plus a few small ones left whole for scattering
Method
Heat the oven to 120 C. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and lay on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper. Sprinkle with thyme leaves, salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil and bake for 1 hour until slightly dried and the flavour concentrated.
To make the pastry, tip the flour, a pinch of salt and butter into a bowl, then rub together with your fingertips until completely mixed and crumbly. Add 8 tablespoons cold water, then bring everything together with your hands until just combined. Roll into a ball and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a round about 5cm larger than a 25cm tin. Use your rolling pin to lift it up, then drape over the tart case so there is an overhang of pastry on the sides. Using a small ball of pastry scraps, push the pastry into the corners of the tin. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 20 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 180 C.
Lightly prick the base of the tart with a fork, line the tart case with a large circle of greaseproof paper or foil, then fill with dried beans or rice. Blind-bake the tart for 20 minutes, remove the paper and beans, then continue to cook for 5-10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the tart case from the oven.
While the tart is cooking, beat the eggs in a large bowl. Gradually add the cream, then stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. When the case is ready, sprinkle half the cheese over the base, scatter over the tomatoes, pour over the cream mix, then finally scatter over the rest of the cheese. Bake for 20-25 mins until set and golden brown. Leave to cool in the case, trim the edges of the pastry, then remove from the tin. Scatter over the remaining basil and serve in slices with a green salad.
We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours
Vegalicious (Vegetarian)
We are all guilty of going to the supermarket or market, seeing an array of vegetables and never quite knowing what we should do with all the produce on offer. This vegetarian cookbook is just the answer.
The recipes are straight forward with easily obtainable ingredients. The photos are enticing, urging you to have a go and cook the recipes for yourself.
We decided to have a go at one of the recipes and chose the Rigatoni with Chilli and Walnuts. Quick and easy to make, it was on the table in 15 minutes. It was delicious and surprising how much flavour can come from such simple ingredients. A few points from our side about the recipe - we halved the number of walnuts, increased the garlic and served it with a green salad, which we felt was a much needed addition. Our changes are reflected in the recipe below.
Rigatoni with Chilli and Walnuts
Serves 4
Ingredients
150 g walnuts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
2 generous tablespoons mascarpone
2 generous tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
350 g rigatoni (or any other short, tube-shaped pasta)
salt and pepper
Method
Roast the walnuts in a dry frying pan until golden brown and smelling nice and toasty. Place them on a chopping board once they've cooled down, roughly chop (so that there are large and small pieces).
Place the olive oil in a cold pan with the garlic and chilli and heat for 1-2 minutes over a low heat (the garlic shouldn't colour). Add the thyme leaves. Remove from the heat and stir through the mascarpone, Parmesan, salt, pepper and all but 2 tablespoons of the walnuts.
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain off, reserving a few tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Return the pasta to the pan with the reserved cooking liquid and the walnut sauce and mix together well. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped walnuts and serve with a green salad.
Publisher: Terra
Author: Alice Hart
Price: 15,00 euro