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Video: Molto Mario’s fantastic fettuccine

TODAY recipes
updated 5/17/2011 6:32:59 AM ET 2011-05-17T10:32:59

There are few things more satisfying than a big bowl of pasta and vegetables. Chef Mario Batali shares his recipe for fettuccine alfredo with asparagus that is as delicious as it is fast. His fava bean and tricolore salads are the perfect accompaniment. Try his recipes.

Recipe: Fettucine alfredo with fresh asparagus (on this page) Recipe: Tricolore salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano (on this page) Recipe: Fresh fava beans with ricotta salata (on this page)

Recipe: Fettucine alfredo with fresh asparagus

Ingredients
  • 1 pound medium asparagus, ends snapped off
  • 1 1/4 pounds fresh pasta, cut into tagliatelle or fettucine
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation

Using a benriner (Japanese mandoline) or other vegetable slicer, or a vegetable peeler, thinly shave the asparagus, making thin horizontal shavings. Set aside.

Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot, and add 2 tablespoons salt. Cook the fettuccine in the boiling water until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, reserving about ¼ cup of the pasta water, and place in a large warmed bowl.

In a 12- to 14-inch saute pan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the asparagus. When the pasta is ready, add it to the saute pan until the pasta is coated with the butter. Add the cheese and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

Serving Size

Serves 4

Recipe: Tricolore salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano

Ingredients
  • 1 pound arugula (3 large bunches), trimmed, washed, and spun dry
  • 2 heads Belgian endive, cored and cut into 3/4-inch-wide slices
  • 1 large radicchio, cored and coarsely chopped
  • 6 tablespoons lemon vinaigrette (see below)
  • Maldon or other flaky sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper
  • A 4-ounce chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano for shaving
  • Lemon vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon marmellata (marmalade) or a generous pinch of grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Tuscan
Preparation

Combine all the lettuces in large bowl, tossing to mix. Drizzle with half the vinaigrette, tossing gently. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, shave the cheese over it, and serve with the remaining vinaigrette on the side.

To make the lemon vinaigrette:

Whisk together the lemon juice, marmellata, and olive oil in a small bowl. (The vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.) Makes 3/4 cup.

Serving Size

Serves 6

Recipe: Fresh fava beans with ricotta salata

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds young fava beans in the pod, shelled
  • Scant 1/4 cup lemon vinaigrette (recipe follows)
  • Maldon or other flaky sea salt
  • A 3-ounce chunk of ricotta salata for grating
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • Lemon vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon marmellata (marmalade) or a generous pinch of grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Tuscan
Preparation

If the fava beans are young and tender, there is no need to peel them. If not, blanch the beans in a medium pot of boiling salted water for 30 seconds, just to loosen the skins. Drain, transfer to an ice bath to cool, and drain again. To peel the favas, pinch open the skin at one end of each bean and squeeze out the bean.

Toss the fava beans with the vinaigrette in a medium bowl and season with salt. Grate the ricotta over the favas, sprinkle pepper over the top, and serve immediately.

To make the lemon vinaigrette:

Whisk together the lemon juice, marmellata, and olive oil in a small bowl. (The vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.) Makes ¾ cup.

Serving Size

Serves 6

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