Mediterranean Food and Wine: Italian Pasta Recipes from Med Food and Travel Blog

Mediterranean Recipes -
Orechiette with Sausage and Broccolli Rabe

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion
4 garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 pound Italian sausage (make sure you get the best sausages you can find!)
dry marjoram leaves, bay leaves, salt and pepper
1 pound dry orecchiette
2 large bunches of broccolli rabe
White wine
Freshly-grated parmigiano cheese

1. Heat the olive oil and stir in the chopped onion and garlic in a large deep sauté pan over medium heat, let the onions brown 5-8 minutes. Add the sliced sausages and sauté until brown and cooked. Add the bay leaves, marjoram and any other herbs you want. Salt and pepper to taste, and sauté one minute. Add half glass of white wine.

2. Steam or boil the Broccoli Rabe for about 2 -3 minutes, until cooked but still firm. When cooked add to the pan with the sausage and mix in with the sausage sauce. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, cook orecchiette in boiling water until al dente. About 10-13 minutes. Drain and add the cooked orechiette to the Sausage and Broccoli pan.

4. Add another half glass of white wine and let cook for a minute, so that the pasta soaks slightly the sausage and broccoli sauce. Remove from heat and pour into a large serving platter or bowl. Spoon remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with Parmigiano cheese.

Serves 4 as main course.

Mediterranean Pasta Recipes - Mediterranean Dishes

Shrimp Pasta with Tomatoes and Red Pepper sauce

Mamma always does this seafood pasta dish, and every time it delivers. It is easy to prepare, makes a perfect effortless summer dinner and goes beautifully with a nice bottle of crisp white wine.

Ingredients

Serves 4

1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
2 red peppers (or one yellow one red)
1 bunch of parsley
1 and 1/2 pounds of good fresh large shrimp
3 large beef tomatoes
1/2 small glass of white wine
1 small container of light creme fraiche or light sour cream
Salt, Pepper
1 pack of linguini, spaghetti or penne or any fresh made pasta

Preparation

Cook pasta to instructions on pack.

On a large deep skillet heat the olive oil and sauté the diced onions and garlic until golden brown.

Add the thinly sliced peppers and cook until tender (but not overcooked), add the diced tomatoes, throw in half the chopped parsley, pepper, salt, and oregano leafs. Add the shrimp and let simmer for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp is cooked (firm but cooked). Steer in 2 spoonfuls of cream. Mix the sauce well onto the pasta and served immediately. Garnish with some chopped parsley and pepper.

Chicken with Broccoli and Sundried Tomatoes

Another great Mamma does this easy and delicious hearty pasta. This goes great with a white or even a light red wine.

Ingredients

Serves 4

1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
1 pack of good sundried tomatoes
1 bunch of broccoli
1 hanfull of pine nuts
4 free range chicken breasts
1/2 small glass of white wine
Salt, Pepper
1 pack of penne or any short shapped pasta

Preparation

Cook pasta to instructions on pack or read below.

On a large deep skillet heat the olive oil and sauté the diced onions and garlic until golden brown. Add the chicken breasts cut into large cubes and sautee until cooked. Add some of the white wine to release the flavours from the pan and create a sauce. Throw in the sundried tomatoes, add a little water and let it soak for a few minutes, add the brocolli and the pre cooked penne and let it simmer for a few minutes until the broccoli are cooked but still firm and crisp. Add a little water or white wine if it is becoming dry.

Serve immediately with shaved Parmesan and the pine nuts. As an alternative you can do this as a pasta bake. Cook the pasta halfway and put everything in a deep dish baking tray, spring with the shaved / grated parmesan. and bake in the oven until pasta is fully cooked.

Insallata Caprese Pasta

This is probably the easiest pasta I have done and can be served warm or even cold. Perfect for summer dinner or easy lunch with a good rose or crisp white wine.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 bag of baby fresh mozarella (about 10 little balls)
1 bag of cherry tomatoes or any other small size variety
1 bunch of fresh basil
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt, Pepper, dry oregano leaves
1 pack of spagghetti (or any other pasta)

Preparation
Cook pasta to instructions on pack.

While the pasta is cooking in a large mixing bowl add the tomatoes cut in half together with the baby mozarella's also cut in half. Chop the basil and add to the bowl. Season with the the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, salt and peper to taste. There should be plenty of sauce in the bowl.

Add the cooked and still hot pasta into the mixing bowl and mix well into the sauce. Serve immediately if warm or let it cool off completely making sure you keep mixing it so that the pasta does not glue together.