Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Tomatoes are to Pasta what Peas are to Carrots

Pasta and Pomodoro go together like peas and carrots (a la Forrest Gump). The sweet tang together with the chewy goodness of pasta is often a quick meal. Most pasta sauces are so forgiving that you can use canned diced or crushed tomatoes. Leftover sauces can be creatively used in any Indian gravy recipes inplace of tomatoes or tomato puree.

I remember seeing this recipe on a TV cooking show long back, I don't remember which one. Reconstructing by memory, here is Pasta with Three Tomatoes (fresh, canned and sun dried)

Pasta With Three Tomatoes
1 lb spaghetti
Plenty of water
salt to taste
Bring plenty of well salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti according to package directions, until al dente
2 tbsp tomato olive oil (from oil packed sun dried tomatoes)
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Heat oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds
1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes halved
Add crushed tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes, cook down for 15 mins. Then, add the halved cherry tomatoes and simmer until the cherry tomato just turns soft. Drain spaghetti, add to the sauce. Add some retained pasta water to dilute sauce if desired. Top with grated Parmesan cheese (optional).

Each tomato sauce recipe has its signature - play with herbs, add a dash of vodka or wine or in this case, work with different flavors of the tomato. If you don't like the sour taste of sun dried tomatoes, you can reduce the amount used in the recipe.

This is an entry to ARF/5-a-day at Sweetnicks.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Liked your recipe and a very good write-up.

Anonymous said...

Hi GM,
So, each type of tomato sauce gives a different flavour or taste in your mouth?Really?Thats interesting.

What brands do u buy for the canned etc?

Anonymous said...

GM, till today I have never tried preparing pasta at home. Your pic looks so tempting. I think its time for me to try it :). Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Rays Of Sun said...

hey this comment is related to your chiwda recipe!
I just made that..Amazing it turned out:-)
Crunchy and yummie! Thanks for the recipe made easier..I never dreamt Id make chiwda some day..Thanks a bunch!

KA said...

Pasta with tomato sauce yummo!! Neat description. Love the picture!!

Vineela said...

Hi GM,
Nice post.I love the pasta withpeas and tomato.I like the way of your posting in blocks.
Vineela

Lakshmi said...

Hi GM, tried your chivda and posted the picture on my blog.
have a look.
Thanks
lakshmi

Anonymous said...

Amazing stuff... I have some pasta... I guess i will have pasta today!!!!!

GourmayMasala said...

Ramya - Thank you!

LG - Yes, different herbs and/or wine does give a different twist to regular old tomato sauce :) I don't use 'a' particular brand... We usually get 'Hunt' tomato at our local Costco wholesale

Shilpa - Thanks! Try making sauce at home... it's not too time consuming. Add some cheese to your sauce and it will be just like store bought :)

ROS - Thanks! I'm so glad you made Chiwda and that it tasted great... Thanks for letting me know too :)

Krishnarjuna, Vineela - Thank you!

Thanks Tony, hope it turned out well.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Pasta looks so yummmmmmm and picture perfect with a nice & rich Blend of Tomato sauce ..:)

Anonymous said...

Fresh, sun dried and canned..:)..Interesting, GM.
Love pasta!

GourmayMasala said...

Thank you Lera and Sailu... This pasta sure breaks monotony :)

Anonymous said...

Visiting here everyday..how come no updates? is all okay?!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello
Colorful presentation of the pasta with the yuummmmmmmmy sauce on top of it. sure wld make a complete meal by itself or a jiffy tiffin for the kids. Gonna try this some day.
Chk out this interesting pasta bake with mushrooms
http://www.indusladies.com/forums/18167-post57.html

Anonymous said...

Hello
Colorful presentation of the pasta with the yuummmmmmmmy sauce on top of it. sure wld make a complete meal by itself or a jiffy tiffin for the kids. Gonna try this some day.
Chk out this interesting pasta bake with mushrooms
http://www.indusladies.com/forums/18167-post57.html

Veda said...

do u stay in the US? on food network channel , theres this programme called everyday italian by Giada de laurentis....good one! by the way .... pasta looks delicious....