Monday, October 24, 2022

Recreate the Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives from Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

 By: The Food Hunter

Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives

I can’t get enough of CNN Original Series: Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and last night’s Puglia episode was no exception. Puglia is a region in the southern tip of Italy; famous for its fragrant olive oil, beautiful vegetables, delicious cheeses and durum wheat. Despite these well-known offerings Puglia is one of Italy’s poorest regions. During his visit, Tucci discovers Puglia's current spirit of innovation and how the Pugliese have begun turning these humble ingredients into sources of pride.  

In Bari, the capital of Puglia, Tucci visits the port and one of the most ancient Barese institutions: the fishermen of Molo San Nicola who sell the “sushi of Italy” (raw squid). Fresh caught squid are plucked from the water and enjoyed raw. And although Tucci anticipated not liking this delicacy he ends up finding it delicious. 

Nearby the port, is the scenic street in old Bari, nicknamed “orecchiette road,” where women sit at small tables outside their homes, rolling, and selling orecchiette to those passing by.

In Foggia, the breadbasket of Italy, Tucci meets with chef Pietro Zito, whose mission is to reignite the best flavors of Puglia’s past. At Zito’s Antichi Sapori restaurant, Tucci is served the signature dish of “burnt” grain orecchiette, with creamed fava beans, burrata cheese and charred black olives.


What is "burnt grain" pasta?

Grano Arso Pasta

Grano arso or burnt grain is a specialty of Puglia that came about when the poorest residents would mill the toasted wheat that was collected after burning the remains of the harvest and ground into flour.
Compared to traditional wheat flour, the burnt grain flour has a distinct toasted flavor with a slightly bitter yet delicious aftertaste.

Using the burnt grain to make pasta produces a dark color and a full bodied consistency. The pasta is best paired with burrata to soften the flavor and provide the missing sweetness. In the Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives, the components mix beautifully and create a spectacular visual and taste on both plate and palate.  

How to make Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives

  • Prepare fava beans and puree with onions
  • Char black olives in a pan 
 
Charred Black Olives
  •   Mix orecchiette with fava bean puree
Orecchiette

 What to drink with Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives?

I would suggest pairing this pasta with a Sicilian white wine. The Cantine Ermes, Vento di Mare Pinot Grigio is a good choice as it offers delicious notes of pears and citrus fruit which counterbalances the toasty pasta.

Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives

Burnt Grain Orecchiette, with Creamed Fava Beans, Burrata & Charred Black Olives
 
Serves 2
  • 1/2 lb grano arso orecchiette 
  • 1/2 lb frozen fava or lima beans
  • 10-15 Sicilian charred black olives (recipe below)
  • 1 white onion, thinly sliced  
  • burrata cheese
  • olive oil

Boil the fava beans and onions for 15-20 mins or until soft. Season with salt and pepper and drain reserving some liquid. Add olive oil and reserved liquid a little at a time and blend with a stick mixer until smooth. 

Meanwhile boil pasta until al dente. 

Place pureed fava beans into a large pan and heat. Strain pasta and add to pan with heated fava bean sauce.  Toss to coat. 

Plate orecchiette and fave bean sauce, along side burrata, charred olives and a generous portion of olive oil. 

For the Charred Olives

  • 10-15 Sicilian black olives
  • oil

Heat olive oil in a medium sized pan. Place olives in pan and allow to cook 10-15 mins turning occasionally, until charred. 



 





4 comments:

  1. So interesting, never heard of burnt grain pasta, there is always something new to learn here!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Made this recipe, used frozen peas instead of fava beans, and it was délicieuse!

    ReplyDelete