CLASSIC LASAGNE AL FORNO

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SLOW COOK

SERVES 4

12 sheets dried or fresh lasagne
1 recipe classic ragu bolognese
6 tbsp freshly grated parmesan

FOR BECHAMEL

5 tbsp (75g) butter
4 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups (750ml) milk
salt, black pepper, nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook pasta, 3 sheets at a time, in a large pot of boiling, salted water for half the recommended time, or until pasta is pliable but slightly hard at the center, about 4 minutes for dried pasta, 1 minute for fresh pasta. Drain and place sheets in a single layer on dish towels. For bechamel, melt butter over medium heat in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook until foaming, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and pour in milk gradually, whisking constantly. Return to heat and cook, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Bring to the boil and remove from the heat. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. In a buttered 13in x 9in x 3in (33cm x 23cm x 7.5cm) oven-proof dish, spread a thin layer of the bechamel. Lay 3 sheets pasta, over the bechamel. Spread a quarter of the ragu over the pasta. Spread a quarter of the bechamel over the ragu, and sprinkle with a quarter of the parmesan. Starting with another layer of 3 pasta sheets, repeat layers. Repeat layers again to finish, ending with parmesan. Bake in oven until golden and bubbling, 30 minutes. Leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

WHICH PASTA?

Egg lasagne, green or yellow, fresh when possible.

THINK AHEAD
Assemble lasagne and leave to cool completely. Cover, unbaked, and refrigerate up to 1 day in advance. Alternatively freeze, unbaked, up to 3 weeks in advance. Defrost overnight in refrigerator. Cook in preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 30 minutes.
Make bechamel up to 2 days in advance. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down on the surface to prevent a skin forming. Refrigerate. Before using, beat to make it easy to spread. If making with cold bechamel, be sure to have ragu and pasta also cold.

COOKS' NOTE

I don't recommend no-cook lasagne, but if it is all you can find at the store, always treat it as regular dried lasagne and pre-cook until just pliable, about 30 seconds. Alternatively, follow the recipe on the packet, which will make proper allowances for the amount of liquid absorbed by the lasagne during baking.

VARIATION

CLASSIC ITALIAN-AMERICAN LASAGNE
Omit bechamel. Use 8 oz (250g) ricotta, crumbled, and 8 oz (25Og) finely sliced mozzarella in place of bechamel. Arrange in layers as directed, substituting ricotta and mozzarella mixture for bechamel. Bake as directed.

CHICKEN, TOMATO AND ROSEMARY RAGU

 HOME > PASTA WITH MEAT > CHICKEN TOMATO AND ROSEMARY RAGY

SLOW COOK

SERVES 4

FOR CHICKEN

12 oz (350g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 celery stalk, quartered
1/2 small onion, chopped
5 tbsp dry white wine

FOR SAUCE

5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp finely chopped onion
1 tbsp finely chopped celery stalk
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1 - 14oz (400g) can Italian plum tomatoes, chopped
salt, black pepper
1 lb (500g) dried pasta

Place chicken, celery, onion, and wine in a pan with cold water to cover. Bring slowly to a simmer over medium low heat. Simmer gently without boiling until cooked through, 7-10 minutes. Cool completely in cooking liquid. Drain, reserving liquid, and cut chicken into 1/2in (1cm) dice. Heat oil in a skillet. Add onion and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium low heat until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, parsley, and rosemary and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add lemon zest, tomatoes, and 4 tbsp reserved poaching liquid. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until thick, 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken and heat through, 3 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, sailed water, until firm to the bite. Drain. Add pasta to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately.

WHICH PASTA?

Medium tubes or shapes - gnocchi. ditali. macaroni.

THINK AHEAD

Cook chicken, but do not dice, up to 2 days in advance. Make tomato sauce up to 1 day in advance. Cover and refrigerate.

RAGU AL FORNO

SLOW COOK

SERVES 4 - 6

FOR BECHAMEL

1/2 stick (60g) butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 pint (500ml) milk
salt, pepper, nutmeg
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
1 recipe classic ragu bolognese
3 tbsp freshly grated parmesan



Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
For bechamel, melt butter over medium heat in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook until foaming, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and pour in milk gradually, whisking constantly. Return to heat and cook, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Bring to the boil and remove from heat. Add salt, black pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until just firm to the bite. Drain. Toss pasta with ragu, bechamel, and parmesan. Place in buttered 12in x 8in x 3in (30cm x 20cm x 7.5cm) oven-proof dish and bake until golden and crusty, 15 minutes. Leave to stand lor 5 minutes before serving.

WHICH PASTA?

Large tubes or shapes - rigatoni, penne, conchiglie.

THINK AHEAD

Assemble and leave to cool completely. Cover, unbaked and refrigerate up to 1 day in advance. Alternatively, freeze up to 3 weeks In advance. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

CLASSIC RAGU BOLOGNESE

SLOW COOK
SERVES 4 - 6

1/2 stick (60g) butter
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 oz (60g) unsmoked pancetta or bacon, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 lb (500g) lean chuck steak, coarsely ground
2 tbsp tomato paste
2/3 cup (150ml) red wine
2/3 cup (150ml) meat stock, or water ground nutmeg
2/3 cup (150ml) milk
salt, black pepper,
1 lb (500g) dried pasta

freshly grated parmesan to serve

 Melt butter and oil in a large, heavy-based pot over medium high heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until colored, 5 minutes. Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and bay leaf and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 8 minutes. Add ground beef and cook, crumbling with a fork to break up, until browned. Turn heat to medium. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add wine, stock or water, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to very low. Simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally and adding milk 2 tbsp at a time every 20-30 minutes. Cook until thick and rich, 2 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until firm to the bite, Drain. Add drained pasta to hot ragu. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately with parmesan.

WHICH PASTA?

Medium ribbons or large tubes - tagliatelle, macaroni, rigatoni. penne.

THINK AHEAD

Make sauce up to 3 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Alternatively, make up to 1 month in advance and freeze. Defrost overnight in regrigerator before reheating.

SPICY SAUSAGE RAGU

SLOW COOK 

SERVES 4

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
8 oz (250g) italian sausages, skinned and crumbled
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 - 14oz (400g) can chopped italian plum tomatoes
salt, black pepper
1/2 cup (125ml) heavy cream
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
freshly grated parmesan to serve

Heat oil in a skillet. Cook onion and garlic over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until soft and pale gold, 5 minutes. Add sausage. Cook, stirring to break up, until colored, 10 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, fennel, oregano, tomato paste, and chopped tomatoes. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 20 minutes. Add cream. Cook, stirring until heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain. Add pasta to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately with parmesan.

WHICH PASTA?

Medium or large tubes - ditali, penne, rigatoni, macaroni.

THINK AHEAD

Make ragu up to 3 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Alternatively, freeze up to 1 month in advance. Defrost overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

COOKS' NOTE

Be sure to use good-quality Italian sausage for this sauce. You can use Ihe sweet sausages or, for an even spicier ragu, use spicy sausages.

CARBONARA

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

3 egg yolks
8 tbsp freshly grated parmesan
2 tbsp oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
8oz (250g) unsmoked pancetta or
bacon slices, cut into 1/4 in (0.5cm) wide strips
4 tbsp white wine
1 tbsp butter
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
salt, black pepper
additional freshly grated parmesan to serve

Mix egg yolks and parmesan in a bowl until combined. Heat oil in a skillet. Add garlic and cook over medium high heat until golden, 2 minutes. Remove garlic and discard. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 5 minutes. Add wine and simmer until just evaporated, 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add drained pasta to the hot pancetta and toss well to coat. Remove from the heat. Add egg mixture and butter and toss again to coat, adding reserved water as needed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with additional parmesan.

WHICH PASTA?

Hollow or thin strands - bucatini, spaghetti.

COOKS' NOTE

We have sharpened the sauce with the addition of while wine. If you don't have any white wine in the pantry, use 2 tbsp dry vermouth instead.

VENETIAN-STYLE CHICKEN LIVER

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

8 oz (250g) chicken livers
2 tbsp (30g) butter
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 fresh sage leaves
1 garlic clove, peeled an halved
4 tbsp dry white wine
salt, black pepper
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan
additional butter to toss
additional freshly grated parmesan to serve

Place chicken livers in strainer and rinse under cold running water. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Cut each chicken liver into 3 pieces, discarding fat and membranes. Melt butter with olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sage and cook until garlic is golden, 2-3 minutes. Remove and discard garlic and sage. Add chicken livers and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 1 minute. Add wine and simmer until just evaporated, 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain. Add pasta with parmesan and 1 tbsp additional butter to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately with additional parmesan.

WHICH PASTA?

Shapes or medium to wide ribbons - conchiglie, pappardelle. tagliatelle. farfalle.

COOKS' NOTE

Quick cooking ensures that the chicken liver pieces will be still pink and juicy inside.

CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND MUSHROOMS

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

2 tbsp (30g) butter
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut across into 8 - lin (2.5cm) wide strips
2 garlic cloves, crushed
8 oz (250g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tbsp lemon juice
salt, black pepper
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
additional butter to toss

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken strips and cook, stirring frequently! until opaque, 4 minutes. Add garlic, mushrooms, and thyme. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are soft and chicken is cooked through, 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain. Add pasta to hot sauce with 2 tbsp additional butter. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately.

WHICH PASTA?

Medium to large ribbons- fettuccine. tagliatelle, pappardelle.

THINK AHEAD

Make sauce up to 1 day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently, adding 2 tbsp water.

AMATRICIANA

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 oz (250g) unsmoked pancetta or bacon, cut into 1/4 in (0.5cm) wide strips
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
6 tbsp dry white wine
1 onion, finely chopped
1 - 14oz (400g) can Italian plum tomatoes, chopped, or 1 lb (500g) fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
salt, black pepper
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
4 tbsp freshly grated pecorino, romano or parmesan, plus additional cheese to serve

Heat oil in a skillet. Add pancetta strips and red pepper fakes and cook, stirring occasionally over medium heat, until pancetta is crisp, 5 minutes. Add wine and simmer until reduced by half, 1 minute. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and just golden, 10 minutes. Turn heat to medium high. Add tomatoes and cook, until thickened, 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain. Add pasta with parmesan to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately with additional cheese.

WHICH PASTA?

Hollow strands or tubes - spaghetti, bucatini. penne. rigatoni.

THINK AHEAD

Make sauce up to 1 day in advance. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate.

COOKS' NOTE

This sauce is made in the Apennines east of Rome for the local Festa on 15th August. The cheese used in the traditional recipe is Pecorino, which has the right piquancy to match the flavor of the chili. If you cannot find Pecorino Romano, you can use Parmesan. The pancetta should be unsmoked.

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC AND SHALLOTS

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4 - 6

4 boneless chicken breast halves
12 whole garlic cloves
8 whole shallots
3/4 cup (175ml) white wine
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt, black pepper
3/4 cup (175ml) heavy cream
1 lb (500g) dried pasta

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place chicken skin side up, with garlic and shallots, in a large oven-proof skillet. Pour over wine. Drizzle chicken skin with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until chicken is cooked through and skin is crisp and golden, 25-50 minutes. Remove chicken, garlic, and shallots and cover to keep warm. Bring chicken juices to a simmer over medium high heat. Add cream and cook, stirring constantly, until hot through, 1 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot or boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain. Add pasta to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat. Slice each chicken breast half crosswise into 3 pieces. Top pasta with chicken, garlic, and shallots. Serve immediately.

WHICH PASTA?

Medium to wide ribbons or large tubes - tagliatelle, pappardelle, penne, rigatoni.

COOKS' NOTE
Snipping off the tops of the roast garlic and shallots with kitchen scissors makes it easier to squeeze out the soft, sweet centers from their papery skins.

SAUSAGE WITH CREAM AND BASIL

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
8oz (250g) italian sausages, skinned and crumbled
1 1/4 cups (300ml) heavy cream
1 l b (500g) dried pasta
1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn
salt, black pepper
freshly grated parmesan to serve

Heat oil in a skillet. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally over medium high heat, until just golden, 5 minutes. Add sausage and cook, stirring frequently to break up meat, until it just loses its pink color, 10 minutes. Stir in cream and simmer until just thickened, 1-2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add pasta with basil to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved water as needed. Serve immediately with parmesan.
 
WHICH PASTA?

Shapes or tubes - conchiglie, fusilli. macaroni, penne, rigatoni.

CRISPY PANCETTA AND SCALLIONS

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

8 pancetta or bacon slices, smoked or unsmoked
2 tbsp (30g) butter
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 scallions, sliced
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan
salt, black pepper
additional freshly grated parmesan to serve

Cook pancetta, turning frequently, in a skillet over medium low heat until browned and crisp, 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and cut into 1 in (2.5cm) wide strips. Pour off excess fat from skillet. Add butter and oil to skillet and melt over medium heat. Add scallions and cook, stirring constantly, until just soft, 2 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add pasta with parmesan and pancetta to scallions. Toss well to coat, adding reserved water as needed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with additional parmesan.

WHICH PASTA?

Tubes or shapes - penne, rigatoni, gnocchi, conchiglie.

COOKS' NOTE

Try and match the size of the pasta to the size of your ingredients. Cut the pancetta into pieces that can be easily caught in Ihe hollow of the pasta shape.

PIZZAIOLA

QUICK COOK
SERVES 4

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
l 3/4 lb (300g) rump steak, cut into strips 2in (5cm) long and 1/2 (1cm) wide
1 - 14oz (400g) can chopped Italian plum tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried
2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
4 tbsp pitted, sliced black olives
1 lb (500g) dried pasta
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Heat oil in a skillet. Add steak and cook over high heat until browned all over, 3 minutes. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon, cover to keep warm, and reserve. Reduce heat to medium high. Add tomatoes, garlic, oregano, capers, and olives. Simmer rapidly, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Return steak to the skillet to keep warm. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water. Drain. Add pasta with parsley to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately.

WHICH PASTA?

Strands - spaghetti, spaghettini.
COOKS' NOTE

This sauce is so called because it contains oregano which, with tomato, is one of the traditional ingredients for pizza.

PROSCIUTTO AND CREAM

QUICK COOK

SERVES 4

 1 lb (500g) dried pasta
1/2 stick (60g) butter
8 oz (250g) prosciutto slices, cut into strips 1/2 in (1cm) wide
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
4 tbsp dry white wine
1/2 cup (125ml) heavy cream
salt, black pepper
4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan, plus additional to serve

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until firm to the bite. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add prosciutto strips and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is soft, 4-5 minutes. Add wine and raise heat to medium high. Simmer until just evaporated. Add cream and cook until just thickened, 1 minute. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add pasta with parmesan to the hot sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved water as needed. Serve immediately with additional parmesan.

WHICH PASTA?

Medium ribbons- fettuccine, tagliatelle.

Meat In The Pasta Pantry

Pancetta is an Italian bacon, but it has a distinctly different flavor from regular bacon as it is cured differently. For pasta, buy flat pancetta in a slab, not the rolled version Unsmoked bacon can be used instead, but, for authentic Italian flavor, we urge you to seek out pancetta from Italian specialty or gourmet stores. Buy several pieces about 4oz (125g) each cut into 1/4 - 1/2 in (5-10mm) slices. Wrap separately and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. This way you will always have the real thing on hand when it is called for.
Prosciutto is a specially cured Italian ham that comes trom the hind thigh of the pig and is air-cured for over a year. This long process of air-curing gives it a distinctively sweet flavor and delicate rosy color. Buy prosciutto sliced to order and avoid the packages of ready sliced meat wherever possible. Store it well wrapped in the refrigerator for no more than three days.
There is an old adage from Parma that says: Grasso e magro non del tutto, ecco il pregio delprociutto. This means that prosciutto must have the right balance of fat and meat.
When buying, look for prosciutto with a generous proportion of fat, as this contributes as much to the flavor as the meat part.
The best sausage to use for making pasta sauces is Luganega, a sweet medium ground sausage. If you cannot find it, use a sweet Italian sausage with a very high percentage of pork meat.