Bucatini With Tomato Sauce And Fresh Basil Food

JIMMY'S GRANDMA'S TOMATO SAUCE WITH BUCATINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Place a large roasting pan over 2 burners set to medium heat. Add the butter, garlic and onions and sweat for 6 to 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the tomato sauce and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cover with foil and transfer the pan to the oven for 5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. (Baking in the oven ensures the sauce cooks down without burning.)
• Transfer the sauce to a blender along with the basil, Parmesan and sugar, and blend well. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce. Serve in shallow bowls, garnished with Parmesan.

BUCATINI ALLA MATRICIANA

Steps:

• In a large sauce pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and pancetta and cook slowly, until onions are soft and translucent and the pancetta fat is rendered. Add the tomatoes, hot red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper.
• Boil a large pot of water; salt generously. Cook the bucatini until it is soft but still firm.
• Divide the pasta between 4 warmed pasta bowls. Ladle some sauce on top, and serve with grated Pecorino Romano.

BUCATINI WITH OLIVE-CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, pile the garlic, 1 tablespoon capers and the red pepper flakes on a cutting board; mince, then mash with the flat side of a chef's knife to make a paste. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the olive oil, tomatoes, olives, the remaining 1 tablespoon capers and the butter. Stir in the basil and cheese.
• Add the pasta to the bowl with the tomato mixture and toss until the butter is melted, adding the reserved cooking water to moisten, if needed. Season with salt.

BUCATINI WITH ROASTED AND FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In an 8-inch square baking dish, toss cherry tomatoes with 3 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until bursting and charred in spots, 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, toss bread with 2 tablespoons oil and Pecorino Romano; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crisp, about 12 minutes.
• Toss diced tomatoes, basil, and mint with remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta; cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup liquid; drain.
• Return pasta to pot; toss with roasted tomatoes, their oil, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. (Tomatoes should coat pasta but not create much of a sauce.) Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates, then give each a dollop of ricotta, a spoonful of fresh-tomato mixture, and a sprinkle of croutons. Serve, garnished with a sprig or two of herbs, a generous drizzle of oil, and some cheese and pepper.