Orecchiette with Fennel Sausage and Swiss Chard

Name: Orecchiette with Fennel Sausage and Swiss Chard
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 1 bunch Swiss chard; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Kosher salt; 1/2 large yellow Spanish onion, thinly sliced; 12 garlic cloves, thinly sliced lengthwise; 2 dried arbol chiles; 3/4 pound Fennel Sausage (page 137); 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper; 1 cup Basic Chicken Stock (page 27), or 1/4 cup salted pasta water mixed with 1/4 cup plain water; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; Kosher salt; 12 ounces Orecchiette (page 166); 3 tablespoons finishing-quality extra-virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano; 2 teaspoons fennel pollen (see page 19); 2 tablespoons Toasted Bread Crumbs (page 74)

January 26, 2012

Before we opened the Osteria, Matt made all of the dishes he wanted to put on the pasta menu for us to taste together. When he made this dish—his version of a classic from Puglia—I was absolutely convinced that the pasta program we were committing to was a good idea, and that Matt was absolutely the one to execute it. Evidently I’m not alone because this has been our most popular pasta since the day we opened. The chard you will prepare for this dish makes more than you will need for four servings, as does the Fennel Sausage recipe. It would be a good recipe to double and serve to a crowd—just remember to prepare the sauce and toss it with the pasta in two separate sauté pans.

Recipe notes

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.