Normas Chocolate Sauce Food

PASTA ALLA NORMA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta and sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes less than what the box advises. Meanwhile, cut the eggplants into a large dice. Heat a skillet to high heat, add the olive oil, then the eggplant in one layer. Season with salt and pepper and add more oil if the pan becomes too dry. Continue cooking until eggplant is lightly brown. Add the garlic, chili pepper, dried oregano and stir to keep the garlic from browning. Add tomato passato, bring sauce back to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Assemble the dish: When the sauce is finished cooking, turn off the heat and add the basil. Meanwhile, when the pasta is firm to the touch, reserve 1 cup pasta water (you will only need half). Drain the pasta and return it to the pot along with the sauce and ½ cup pasta water. Over low heat gently toss the pasta with the sauce for 2 minutes to allow it to "marry" and absorb some of the sauce. The dish is done when the pasta begins to stick to the bottom of the pot. Garnish with grated ricotta salata cheese and serve.

EASIEST CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan or in the microwave, melt together 1 cup milk and 1 cup chopped semisweet chocolate. Remove from the heat and add another cup of chocolate; stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is thickened and slightly cooled.

AUNT NORMA'S CHOCOLATE NUT TOFFEE

Steps:

• Spread nuts on bottom of a well-buttered 8X8 pan.
• Combine margarine and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan and bring to a full boil.
• Boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Pour mixture over nuts, being sure to cover them all.
• Scatter chocolate chips over toffee.
• Cover until chips have softened, then spread evenly.
• Refrigerate until chocolate has set, turn out on a board and break into bite-sized pieces.