Nicole Kidman’s Simple Crispy Orecchiette Is a Classic

Nicole Kidman has publicly admitted (on a number of events) to being a not-great cook dinner. But having created a dish so tasty that it was included in Paul Newman’s 1998 Newman’s Own Cookbookwe expect the award-winning actress is definitely a greater cook dinner than she would possibly suppose. And this straightforward pasta dish is proof.

The flavors in Kidman’s Crispy Orecchiette With Broccoli, Pine Nuts, and Garlic alone are sufficient to persuade us that she is aware of what she’s doing within the kitchen, nevertheless it’s an sudden step that seals the deal—and it’ll have lovers of crunchy lasagna corners going again for extra.

Her recipe begins out like most pasta recipes do: boil the pasta till al dente. Then it will get enjoyable *and* even tastier. Kidman’s pasta will get cooked once more—in smoking scorching oil—till it’s crunchy and barely burned on the sides. The trick to getting each bit of pasta correctly fried is dividing it into two separate pans in an effort to unfold it into single layers, as an alternative of crowding the pasta in piles that can undoubtedly lead to just a few mushy spots. This methodology is harking back to Italian fried pasta dishes, like Spaghetti alla Assassina, which is well-liked in southern areas. Still, you could possibly additionally do the pasta in batches to keep away from dirtying two pans, for those who like.

Once the frying is completed, the pasta and the cooking oil get transferred right into a bowl to maintain heat—releasing up a pan for the broccoli florets and slivered garlic to take their flip sauteing in a contemporary drizzle of scorching oil. When the broccoli turns vivid inexperienced and the garlic is barely browned, white wine, lemon juice, salt and pepper go in, infusing the pasta with vivid, savory notes.

Finally, the pasta, broccoli and garlic are mixed in a 13- by 9-inch baking dish (this recipe can feed a crowd) earlier than being tossed in butter and balsamic vinegar for a creamy, umami end. Kidman’s recipe really makes use of a flameproof dish, as this step is finished on the vary over medium warmth with a view to create a wealthy, velvety texture.

The entire factor is then topped with pine nuts and a beneficiant quantity of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, then tossed one closing time earlier than serving with a touch of floor black pepper. And we like the thought of including an additional pile of Parm to every plate—it makes for a mouthwatering presentation that tastes nearly as good because it appears to be like. While it is wonderful proper off the warmth, the pasta will soak up extra flavors over time, which suggests you possibly can cook dinner it a day or two prematurely, in addition to benefit from the leftovers the subsequent day. It gained’t be as crunchy, however it is going to be simply as scrumptious.

And for those who like the thought of this recipe however don’t love the additional step of coping with scorching oil, you could possibly all the time take inspiration from Kidman’s recipe and make a dish like Stanley Tucci’s orecchiette with broccoli rabe, which will get a bit crispy (however with much less oil to scrub up). Even a recipe like our Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Skillet Casserole would possibly tick all of your packing containers—or you could possibly put a spin on that recipe and calmly fry the pasta in olive oil earlier than broiling.

However you fulfill your subsequent hankering for pasta, serve it up with one thing vivid and contemporary, like our Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad, and revel in each chunk.