Friday, May 13, 2005

30-minute dinner for two:
capellini with tomato and fresh basil sauce

i was talking to emily on my way home last night about what i was making for dinner, and she instructed me to blog these quick little dinners i am always making. so--here is 30-minute dinner #1: capellini with tomato and fresh basil sauce. the sauce recipe originally came from this great italian cookbook that meredith gave me for christmas a couple of years ago, but i have made it so many times now, i am not sure this even matches the original recipe anymore. this is simple, fast, yummy, and perfect for two people. leftover sauce makes great bruchetta, too!

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 large can of imported, peeled, whole italian plum tomatoes
  • 5-ish cloves of garlic
  • 5-ish tablespoons of olive oil
  • a handful of fresh basil
  • freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
  • freshly grated parmigiano reggiano (if desired)
  • 8 oz. capellini (angel hair pasta)

DIRECTIONS

crush the tomatoes with your hands into a medium saucepan. don't add the extra juice in the can, just the tomatoes and whatever juice they contain. coarsely chop the garlic and add to the tomatoes. add one tablespoon of olive oil for each clove of garlic. cook on medium to medium-high heat for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oil begins to separate. in the meantime, wash, pat dry, and tear the basil into small-ish pieces. prepare the water for the pasta, but do not cook the pasta until the sauce is done. when the sauce is done, remove from heat and immediately stir in the basil--it will wilt into the hot sauce. let the sauce rest while you cook the pasta, then toss pasta with the sauce until noodles are evenly coated. divide between two pasta dishes or plates, add fresh cheese if you want, and serve immediately.

my favorite version of this dinner includes a small caesar salad and a glass of fabulous red wine. mmmmm.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yum! Keep those quick and easy recipes coming (preferably those that can be executed during the Witching Hour with a toddler clinging to your leg...)--Em

Meredith said...

Yay--I'm so glad to hear you have enjoyed the cookbook! It might be my absolute favorite one. :)

If you've never made the tomato sauce with butter and onion (I don't remember the actual name), I *highly* recommend it. It's super easy, and it freezes really really well. I almost have a batch in the freezer anymore for emergency dinners.

Anonymous said...

Wow...between book recommendations, shopping, cleaning, and dining tips...not to mention the famous Jackie rants, and NOW 30-minute dinners...this is becoming one of my favorite blogs!

jackie said...

thanks, amy--that makes my day! :)