Spaghetti con Pomodoro e Basilico (Tomato and Basil)

45 minutes
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  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds fresh paste (plum) tomatoes, rinsed, or one 28-ounce can whole, peeled plum tomatoes
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 12 leaves basil, coarsely chopped, plus several whole leaves for garnish
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Grated Parmigiano

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Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add the tomatoes and cook for 90 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place immediately into a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking. Peel the tomatoes, cut them in half, remove the seeds, and julienne into ½-inch strips. If using canned tomatoes, add to a bowl and mash them together with your hands.
  2. Bring another large pot of salted water to a boil.
  3. In a large skillet, over medium heat sauté the garlic in the olive oil until it turns golden. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the tomatoes release their juices and begin to reduce slightly. Add the basil and cook for about 5 minutes more.
  4. Cook the spaghetti until al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions), drain, and add it to the tomatoes. Cook together for about one minute.
  5. Serve garnished with basil leaves and grated Parmigiano.

Ed's Review

a world in tatters
riots war recession 'quakes
ball of confusion

tomato basil
olive oil garlic pepper
salt parmigiano

spaghetti vino
a simple summer pleasure
escape share love

Tomato-based sauces can be remarkably seasonal, depending on the freshness of the tomatoes and how long they are cooked.  The medium weight Basic Tomato Sauce found in the introduction of the book makes an excellent year round sauce. A ragú can be cooked for hours with meat, which creates a hearty winter sauce. On the other hand, the below recipe is perfect for warmer weather, as it requires less time in the kitchen and makes for a lighter dish.

Buon Appetito.
Ed Garrubbo, Editor

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