Baked Marrow Amatriciana Food

AMATRICIANA

Steps:

• Cook diced bacon in a large saucepan over medium high heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of drippings from the pan.
• Add onions, and cook over medium heat about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Add canned tomatoes, undrained; simmer 10 minutes, breaking up tomatoes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of 4 quarts boiling salted water until al dente. Drain.
• Stir basil into the sauce, and then toss with cooked pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

HARVEST FESTIVAL - ENGLISH BAKED STUFFED AUTUMN MARROW/ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• Wash and cut the marrow in half, then peel strips of skin with a swivel head vegetable peeler, to create a striped pattern; scoop out all the seeds and discard them. Prick the inside flesh thoroughly with a fork.
• Put all the stuffing ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and mix together - I find that it is better to use your hands to bring it all together. (Wet your hands before you start to prevent the mixture sticking to your hands!).
• Spoon half the stuffing mixture into each half of marrow, pressing down quite firmly to make the mixture fill the hollows.
• Carefully place one stuffed marrow half on top of the other half - see photos - and press together, before wrapping in a large sheet of well greased foil. (I use a low fat olive oil spray to grease my foil.).
• Place the foil wrapped stuffed marrow into a large baking tray or ovenproof dish and cook in the pre-heated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking after 1 1/2 hours. The marrow should be soft but still hold its shape. (If you use a smaller or larger marrow, please adjust the cooking time).
• Take the marrow out of the oven when cooked and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and serve hot, cut into slices, with the juices from the dish poured back over the marrow, or mixed into your tomato sauce if making. Serve with steamed fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley.
• This is also wonderful when served with a hot tomato sauce. Gently fry one finely chopped onion with a clove of garlic in a pan until soft and golden; add a tin of chopped tomatoes, gently heat for a further 5 minutes, check for seasoning and add juices from the marrow, salt, pepper to taste. Allow to cool slightly and then blend the sauce in a blender or with a hand held immersion mixer until smooth. Gently re-heat and serve with the stuffed marrow.

AMATRICIANA SAUCE

Steps:

• Puree the tomatoes to a smooth, creamy consistency in a food processor or with an immersion blender; set aside.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. When hot, add the guanciale and saute 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown.
• Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute 1 minute. Add the pureed tomatoes, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium low and stir well. Cook, uncovered, 15 minutes, or until the sauce darkens and thickens. Toss with just-cooked pasta and serve with a sprinkling of parsley and cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.