Whole Wheat Linguine with Pancetta, French Lentils & Greens

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This easy weeknight mainstay is one of those rustic and rib-sticking meals that just so happens to be good for you. The “sauce” ingredients come together in almost less time than it takes to cook the pasta, so have the table set and the wine poured before you get started!

Whole Wheat Linguine with Pancetta, French Lentils & Greens

1 pound whole wheat linguine
1 bunch spinach (or other tender green like arugula, swiss chard, escarole, or baby kale) stemmed, leaves washed and drained, but still slightly damp
1/2 c French green lentils, cooked to al dente
1/4 c olive oil
4 oz pancetta, diced
4 large cloves garlic, slivered
salt and pepper, to taste
grated parmesan reggiano, to serve

Cook the linguine in a large pot of salted water to al dente. Drain, reserving 1 c of the cooking water. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook pancetta until it begins to crisp. Add garlic and continue cooking until garlic begins to get a little color and is fragrant.

Return hot, just-drained pasta to cooking pot and add spinach, olive oil, pancetta, garlic, lentils and a small amount of the pasta cooking water. Toss everything together until hot pasta cooks spinach lightly and everything is thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve, toped with grated parmesan.

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Persian Cucumber Soup with Walnuts & Yogurt

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Here is a refreshing soup for the dog days of summer, when temperatures approach the triple digits and the heat feels inescapable.  Yogurt provides a cool and tangy backdrop for the quenching, fresh bitterness of the cucumber, and golden raisins and toasted walnuts add exotic notes of sweetness and a nutty, toasty complexity.  I love the tartness of sumac as a garnish, but it is certainly not required.  Think cool creeks, cold compresses, gauzy white dresses, shady picnic spots, and keep a big jar of this in the fridge, and we’ll all get though summer together.

Persian Cucumber Soup with Walnuts & Yogurt

2 large cucumbers, seeded, peeled and cut into fine dice

2 c. plain yogurt

1/4 c. golden raisins, chopped to fine dice

1/4 c. walnuts, toasted and finely chopped

3 scallions, white part only, finely chopped

1/4 c. Italian parsley, finely chopped

small handful chives, minced

1 stalk of dill, minced

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4-1/2 c. ice cold water (depending on thickness of yogurt)

sumac & organic rose petals to garnish (optional)

Combine cucumber, yogurt, raisins, walnuts, scallions, parsley, chives, and dill in a large bowl. Stir in ice water to make a soupy, spoonable consistency.  Season to taste with salt and lots of freshly ground pepper.  Pour into a large jar and refrigerate for several hours.  To serve, ladle into small bowls or cups and garnish with sumac and rose petals.

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Ricotta Fritters

 

Ricotta Fritters

6 eggs

1/2 c. sugar

1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese

2 1/2 c flour

1 heaping Tbs baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

oil for frying

powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar (1 c sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon)

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, ricotta, flour, baking powder, vanilla and nutmeg just until blended (over mixing will make fritters tough).

In a deep, heavy pot or electric fryer, heat 2-3 inches of oil to 325.  Drop the batter by small ice cream scoopfuls or rounded tablespoon into the oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, turning often.  Don’t crowd the pot–fry in batches if necessary.  Drain on brown paper bags and repeat until all are fried.  Dust with powdered sugar or roll in cinnamon sugar.  Best served warm immediately.