A recipe is merely words on paper; a guideline, a starting point from which to improvise. It cannot pretend to replace the practiced hand and telling glance of a watchful cook. For that reason, this is also an account of what happens when I make this dish, so youll understand each step. Of course when you cook it once, it becomes yours, so personalize it a bit. Add more of an ingredient you like or less of something you dont like. Try substituting one ingredient for another. Remember words have no flavour, you have to add your own!
You havent lived until youve roasted a tomato! The simplicity of this method reveals a deep satisfying tomato flavour that will make this one of your favourite ways to dress pasta. You can also roast tomatoes then refrigerate them for a wonderful addition to any salad.
Directions for: Penne with Roast Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
12 plum tomatoes, halved
8 slices of pancetta
4 slices of bacon, optional
2 onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
cup of olive oil
penne pasta or other type
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Thinly slice the pancetta or bacon then toss with the tomatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss into a casserole dish and roast until the tomatoes shrivel and begin to brown a bit, about one hour. The pancetta or bacon will infuse the tomatoes with lots of flavour and the tomatoes will caramelize and become very tasty. Youll know when its done because it will look awesome and smell wonderful!
3. When you cook the pasta be sure to use lots of well-seasoned water. Taste it. It should be pleasingly briny and remind you of a day at the beach. Remember: as the pasta cooks it will absorb the seasoned water and in turn be properly seasoned. A pinch or two of salt is not enough!
4. When the pasta is done dont rinse it. The starches that would rinse away will help the tomatoes stick to the pasta.
5. Toss the hot pasta with the hot sauce.
See more: Dinner, Pork, Lunch, North American, Pasta, Main, Tomatoes, Quick and Easy