Janice Tripepi

Penne Arrabiata has got to one of the most loved pasta dishes! It’s Monday night – and the whole blinking week looms ahead like Polly shorts, the last hill in an uphill Comrades Marathon. This pasta sauce is ready in 30minutes and although it’s a Meat free sauce – the little devils in it provide oodles of flavour, will pep you up and give you the vooma to survive the week.

 

I know that I often sing the praises of pasta but it really is a dish that’s affordable and in most cases is cooked and eaten in a flash. Cook a little extra and you will have enough to make a frittata either for lunch boxes the next day – or add a nice salad and you have a light meal for either Tuesday or Wednesday’s dinner. Make a really big pot of it by doubling up on the ingredients and you will have enough to freeze for a pasta meal next week …. I can’t emphasise enough how important planning is in your kitchen.  Double or even trebling a recipe can save not only money and time but effort too. You cut down on electricity bills – and we all know how they seem to soar each month as Eskom seems intent on punishing us for their failing to plan ahead.

 

Arrabiata – means ‘cross’ or ‘angry’ in English and describes the heat of the chilli in the dish. This is a Roman favourite and the only difference you may find in the dish is that some chefs use parsley instead of basil. Personally, I just love the flavour of basil in the dish. If I don’t happen to have any fresh basil in my garden or fridge I have served this with a nice dollop of my home made pesto ….

I wish you the very best of weeks. Phone that person whom you have been meaning to call – tell someone special that you love them and give your pets and children lots of hugs and loves.

 

Penne Arrabiata

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

 

     

 

4 tins of tomatoes

1Tbs of finely chopped garlic

4 large chillies chopped

1 large onion finely chopped

1 cup of either vegetable or chicken stock

1 cup of wine – if you don’t like to cook with wine leave it out

Black pepper

½ cup fresh basil leaves and a sprig per bowl of pasta that you serve

1 knob of butter

Olive oil for frying

 

In a large pot – pour enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot

Add the garlic and fry until it’s just starting to get a little colour

Add the chopped onion and chilli and brown them

 

 

Add the wine and deglaze your pan and cook until all of the alcohol has cooked off

If you don’t cook with wine – deglaze the pot with some stock

 

Pour the tomatoes into a bowl and using your hands ‘squish’ them to break them up –

I prefer to use this method as opposed to using a liquidizer as I like

to have some small tomato chunks for a little texture in the pasta.

 

Add some pepper and give the pot a good stir.

Bring to the boil for 5 minutes then reduce down for about 30minutes.

Just before serving add the ripped up leaves of basil and a good knob of butter.

 

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

Add the pasta – penne is the best shape for this dish as they hold lots of the sauce.

Stir the pot frequently.

Drain the cooked pasta in a colander

 

 

Return the pasta to your pot and add a some butter and stir

it through the pasta then add a  few serving spoons of the sauce to the cooked pasta

 

 

Serve portions of the pasta topped with another serving spoon of the spicy sauce

 

 

     

 

Top with a fresh sprig of basil and a good grating of parmesan cheese.

A nice loaf of crusty bread – a glass of vino and you are good to go!

 

 

 

Done!

Quick and Easy and Uber Tasty!

 

Now you see it!

 

 

   

 

Now you don’t!

 

And how about something sweet to follow this …

 

 

Chocolate Salami Cupcakes …..

click on the picture to be taken to the recipe.

 

Buon Appetito and I wish everyone

a very special Women’s Day Tomorrow

 

Tomorrow, we celebrate the courage and conviction of the 20 000 iconic women who,

on this day in 1956, marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

They stood together in silence for 30 minutes protesting against the Pass Laws.

These strong women stood together and sang ‘Wathint’Abafazi wathint’imbokodo!’ –

meaning “You strike a Woman You strike a Rock!” –

a phrase that is very dear to my heart.

 

I feel a tremendous sense of sisterhood with all women.

It’s not the easiest job in the world but if we stand together and

share each other’s daily trials and tribulations offering support devoid of judgement,

we will prevail.

 

Light a candle  for 30 minutes tomorrow

 

and use this time to connect with

 

your strength –

your tenacity –

 your creativity –

your beauty –

your courage!

 

Happy Women’s Day!

Jan

xx