Transport your taste buds to Italy with this delightful farfalle dish, where the savory flavors of prosciutto meld seamlessly with the sweet notes of raisins. Enhanced further by the crunch of pine nuts and the rich, earthy taste of spinach, this recipe is a surefire way to elevate your pasta night.
Photos of Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins Recipe
Some ingredients in this dish might not be staples in your pantry. Pine nuts can be found in the baking or nut section of your supermarket, and they add a unique, buttery crunch. Prosciutto, a type of Italian cured ham, is typically located in the deli or specialty meat section. Ensure to also pick up fresh spinach and quality parmesan cheese for the best results.
Ingredients For Farfalle With Prosciutto And Raisins
Pine nuts: Adds a rich, buttery crunch to the dish.
Raisins: Provides a sweet contrast to the savory elements.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic and spinach, adding depth of flavor.
Garlic: Enhances the dish with its aromatic and pungent taste.
Spinach: Adds a fresh, green element to the pasta.
Farfalle: The pasta base that carries all the flavors.
Prosciutto: Adds a salty, savory component to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Fresh ground black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity.
Parmesan: Provides a nutty, umami flavor that ties everything together.
One reader, Brynn Cooksey says:
Farfalle with prosciutto and raisins is a delightful blend of flavors. The sweetness of the raisins perfectly complements the savory prosciutto, while the toasted pine nuts add a satisfying crunch. The spinach and garlic bring everything together beautifully. A truly enjoyable dish!
Cooking Techniques for Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins
How to toast pine nuts: Toast the pine nuts over moderately low heat in a small frying pan, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Alternatively, toast them in a 350 degrees F oven for 5 to 10 minutes. How to plump raisins: Combine the raisins and boiling water. Let stand for about 10 minutes until the raisins are plump, then drain. How to cook garlic: Heat the oil over moderately low heat in a large frying pan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. How to wilt spinach: Stir in the spinach into the frying pan with the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes until just wilted. How to cook farfalle: In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the farfalle for about 15 minutes until just done, then drain.
How To Make Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins
Made with spinach and pine nuts, this farfalle with prosciutto dish makes a salty and hearty dish that has sweet hints from raisins.
Serves:
Ingredients
- ½cuppine nuts
- ½cupraisins
- ½cupboiling water
- ½cupolive oil
- 6clovesgarlic,minced
- 10ozspinach,large stems removed, leaves washed and cut crosswise into 1-inch strips
- 1lbfarfalle
- ¼lbprosciutto,sliced
- ½tspsalt
- ½tspfresh ground black pepper
- 1cupparmesan,grated
Instructions
-
In a small frying pan, toast the pine nuts over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Or toast them in a 350 degrees F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
-
Combine the raisins and the boiling water. Let stand for about 10 minutes until plump. Drain.
-
In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the spinach and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes until just wilted.
-
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the farfalle for about 15 minutes until just done. Drain. Toss with the pine nuts, raisins, spinach mixture, prosciutto, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.
-
Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1052.08kcal
- Fat: 52.61g
- Saturated Fat: 11.82g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 26.96g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 9.86g
- Carbohydrates: 106.81g
- Fiber: 6.67g
- Sugar: 15.00g
- Protein: 41.18g
- Cholesterol: 45.12mg
- Sodium: 1343.26mg
- Calcium: 559.66mg
- Potassium: 1086.77mg
- Iron: 5.55mg
- Vitamin A: 409.62µg
- Vitamin C: 21.87mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting This Pasta Dish
To ensure your garlic doesn't burn and turn bitter, add it to the olive oil when the oil is just warm, not hot. This allows the garlic to infuse the oil with its flavor without cooking too quickly.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Dish
Toast pine nuts in advance: Toast the pine nuts ahead of time and store them in an airtight container to save a step during cooking.
Pre-soak raisins: Soak the raisins in boiling water while you prep other ingredients to streamline the process.
Use pre-washed spinach: Buy pre-washed spinach to cut down on prep time.
Quick garlic prep: Use a garlic press to quickly mince the garlic instead of chopping by hand.
Cook pasta efficiently: Start boiling water for the farfalle while you prepare the other ingredients to multitask effectively.
Substitute Ingredients For Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins Recipe
pine nuts - Substitute with slivered almonds: Slivered almonds provide a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
raisins - Substitute with dried cranberries: Dried cranberries offer a similar sweetness with a slightly tart flavor.
boiling water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds more depth of flavor compared to plain water.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish well.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale offers a similar leafy green texture and is equally nutritious.
farfalle - Substitute with penne: Penne has a similar shape and texture that holds sauces well.
prosciutto - Substitute with bacon: Bacon provides a similar salty, savory flavor and crispy texture.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor with an umami boost.
fresh ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness with a slightly different flavor profile.
parmesan - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar hard texture and salty, nutty flavor.
Presentation Tips for Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins
Serve smaller portion sizes: Plate a modest portion of farfalle to maintain elegance and focus on quality over quantity.
Use decoration: Garnish with a few whole pine nuts and a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan for visual appeal.
Layer ingredients: Create layers by placing a bed of wilted spinach at the bottom, followed by the farfalle mixed with prosciutto, raisins, and pine nuts.
Highlight colors: Ensure the vibrant green of the spinach and the golden pine nuts are prominently visible to add a pop of color.
Use high-quality ingredients: Opt for the finest prosciutto and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the dish's flavor profile.
Add a touch of luxury: Drizzle a small amount of premium olive oil over the top just before serving to add a glossy finish and rich aroma.
Serve on elegant dishware: Use a pristine white plate to make the colors of the dish stand out and give it a sophisticated presentation.
Create height: Pile the farfalle slightly higher in the center of the plate to create a sense of dimension and depth.
Finish with a flourish: Add a few delicate shavings of parmesan on top as a final touch to elevate the dish's appearance and flavor.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making This Recipe
Small frying pan: Used to toast the pine nuts over moderately low heat until they are golden brown.
Oven: An alternative tool for toasting the pine nuts at 350 degrees F for 5 to 10 minutes.
Small bowl: Used to combine the raisins and boiling water to let them plump.
Large frying pan: Used to heat the olive oil, cook the garlic, and wilt the spinach.
Large pot: Used to boil salted water for cooking the farfalle.
Colander: Used to drain the cooked farfalle.
Wooden spoon: Used for stirring the garlic and spinach in the frying pan.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the pine nuts, raisins, boiling water, olive oil, and parmesan.
Knife: Used to chop the garlic and prosciutto.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for chopping the garlic and prosciutto.
Serving bowl: Used to toss and serve the final farfalle dish.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Farfalle Pasta
Allow the farfalle with prosciutto and raisins to cool completely before storing. This will prevent the pasta from becoming soggy and the flavors from becoming muddled.
Transfer the cooled pasta to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness.
Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy identification later on.
When stored properly in the refrigerator, the farfalle with prosciutto and raisins will last for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze the dish for later consumption, follow these steps:
- Divide the cooled pasta into individual serving portions and place them in freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags.
- Remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents.
- Place the portions in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat the frozen farfalle with prosciutto and raisins:
- Thaw the desired portion in the refrigerator overnight.
- Transfer the thawed pasta to a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the pasta in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring gently until warmed through. Add a splash of water or olive oil if needed to prevent the pasta from drying out.
Note that the texture of the prosciutto and spinach may change slightly after freezing and reheating, but the overall flavor of the dish should remain delicious.
How To Reheat Leftover Farfalle Pasta
Reheat the leftover farfalle with prosciutto and raisins in a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil or a knob of butter to prevent the pasta from sticking and to add extra flavor. Stir gently until the pasta is heated through and the prosciutto is crispy. This method ensures that the farfalle retains its texture and the flavors meld together beautifully.
For a quick and easy reheating option, microwave the leftover farfalle with prosciutto and raisins in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to prevent the pasta from drying out. Heat the pasta in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through. While this method is convenient, keep in mind that the texture of the farfalle may become slightly softer compared to other reheating methods.
Transform your leftover farfalle with prosciutto and raisins into a delightful pasta bake. Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish and top it with extra parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown. This method adds a delightful crunch to the dish and intensifies the flavors.
For a lighter option, reheat the leftover farfalle with prosciutto and raisins in a steamer basket over boiling water. This method gently warms the pasta without adding any extra oil or butter. Steam the pasta for 5-7 minutes, or until it's heated through. Toss the reheated pasta with a drizzle of olive oil and some fresh parmesan cheese before serving.
If you have access to a sous vide machine, consider reheating your leftover farfalle with prosciutto and raisins using this precise cooking method. Place the pasta in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag with the air removed. Submerge the bag in a water bath set to 165°F (74°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through. This method ensures that the pasta is evenly heated and retains its original texture and flavor.
Interesting Trivia About Farfalle Pasta
A unique aspect of this recipe is the combination of prosciutto and raisins. The salty, savory flavor of prosciutto pairs surprisingly well with the sweet, plump raisins, creating a delightful contrast that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Is Making Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins Cost-Effective?
The farfalle with prosciutto and raisins recipe is moderately cost-effective. The use of pine nuts and prosciutto adds a gourmet touch but can be pricey. However, the bulk of the dish consists of affordable ingredients like spinach, garlic, and parmesan. Overall Verdict: 7/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $20-$25 USD.
Is This Dish Healthy or Unhealthy?
This recipe has both healthy and unhealthy elements. Let's break it down:
Healthy ingredients:
- Spinach: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Garlic: Contains compounds that may boost immunity and reduce inflammation
- Olive oil: Provides healthy monounsaturated fats
Less healthy ingredients:
- Prosciutto: High in sodium and saturated fat
- Parmesan: High in saturated fat and calories
- Pine nuts: High in calories and fat (although mostly healthy fats)
The farfalle pasta, while not inherently unhealthy, is a refined carbohydrate that can cause blood sugar spikes if consumed in large quantities.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of prosciutto and parmesan, or opt for lower-sodium and lower-fat alternatives
- Use whole wheat or legume-based farfalle to increase fiber and nutrient content
- Increase the proportion of spinach to pasta for a more balanced meal
- Experiment with adding other vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers, to boost the dish's nutritional value
- Use a smaller amount of olive oil, or replace some of it with a lower-calorie alternative like vegetable broth
By making these adjustments, you can transform this tasty pasta dish into a more well-rounded and nutritious meal that still satisfies your cravings for savory, salty, and slightly sweet flavors.
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Pasta Recipe
This recipe offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures. The sweetness of the raisins contrasts beautifully with the savory prosciutto and nutty pine nuts, while the spinach adds a fresh, earthy note. Toasting the pine nuts enhances their flavor, and soaking the raisins ensures they are plump and juicy. The garlic-infused olive oil provides a fragrant base, and the parmesan adds a rich, umami finish. Overall, it's a well-rounded dish that's both satisfying and elegant, perfect for a sophisticated yet easy-to-prepare meal.
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Why trust this Farfalle with Prosciutto and Raisins Recipe:
This recipe combines the rich flavors of prosciutto and parmesan with the sweetness of raisins and the nutty crunch of pine nuts. The garlic and spinach add a fresh, savory element, making each bite a delightful experience. The use of olive oil ensures a smooth and flavorful base, while the farfalle pasta provides the perfect texture to hold all these ingredients together. Trust this recipe for a balanced and satisfying meal that is both simple to prepare and impressive to serve.
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