Neopolitan Baked Ziti

From: Rachael Ray


I got this recipe from one of Rachael's 30 Minute shows. Looked like something a little different to try then a normal baked ziti! IT WAS DELISH! I've made this a few times now and and it get better everytime! Has become one of my favorite recipes! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 pound ziti with lines
2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, grated or minced
1 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes (look for ones from San Marzano)
4 to 5 leaves basil, torn
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 fresh or dried bay leaf
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 large ball fresh mozzarella, diced
1/4 cup (a handful) grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400F

Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring up to a boil to cook ziti. Once boiling, add some salt and the pasta, and cook just shy of al dente. Drain thoroughly.

While the water is coming up to a boil, start the red sauce: Place a medium-size saucepot over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring every now and then until the onions start to get tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and smash them up into small pieces with a potato masher or with the back of spoon. Add the basil and season with some salt and pepper. Bringu p to a bubble and simmer for 15 minutes.

Once you have the red sauce working, make the white sauce: Place a medium-size saucepot over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the flour, sitr to combine and cook for about a minute. Whisk in the milk, add the bay leaf and season and some salt, pepper and a couple grates of nutmeg. Bring up to to a bubble, turn the heat down to low and gently simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and discard.

Combine the cooked ziti with the red sauce in the pot the pasta was cooked in and transfer everything to a baking dish. Top with the white sauce. Sprinkle the mozzarella and grated parmigiano over the top, transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Red Wine Risotto

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis from Everyday Italian

Love this recipe! Hint, the more red wine you add the brighter red the risotto gets. I made it with peas and without, the pictures just happen to be without the peas! Very hearty flavor! One of my favorite risotto recipes!

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup arborio rice, or medium-grain white rice
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/3 cup frozen peas, defrosted, optional
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus additional for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Bring the broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover the broth and keep it warm over very low heat.
Melt the butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in the rice and cook for about 2 minutes until the rice is toasted. Add the wine and stir until it is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup of hot broth; simmer over medium-low heat until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Repeat, adding 3/4 cup of hot broth 2 more times, stirring often, about 12 minutes longer. At this point, the risotto can be made 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate the risotto (the rice will still be firm) and remaining broth, uncovered, until cool, then cover and keep them refrigerated until ready to proceed.
Bring the remaining broth to a simmer, then cover and keep it warm over very low heat. Stir 3/4 cup of hot broth into the partially cooked risotto over medium heat until the broth is absorbed and the risotto is hot, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining broth and simmer until the rice is just tender and the mixture is creamy, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in the peas and parsley. Add the 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Spoon the risotto into bowls. Sprinkle additional cheese over and serve.