Pasta A La Mama Food

PASTA ALLA PAMELA WITH SHRIMP AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Salt liberally.
• In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the baking soda and marinate in the fridge for 15 minutes (this keeps the shrimp moist with a nice crust on the outside).
• Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil to the skillet, then arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the oil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook, undisturbed, until a nice crust is formed, about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, then add the butter and garlic. Cook gently until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Add the wine to deglaze and let simmer for 1 more minute. Add the peas and pasta. Toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper. Add a generous amount of Parmesan and toss again, adding the pasta water as necessary.
• Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl. Garnish with more Parmesan and the parsley. Serve.

PASTA ALLA GRICIA

Steps:

• In a large nonstick pan, heat the olive oil, and then add the guanciale and garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes, making sure that the meat does not get too crunchy and the garlic does not burn. Cook's Note: If you see that the garlic is browning too fast, remove it from the pan, finish the pork, and then add it again to the sauce.
• When the guanciale and the garlic are nice and golden brown, add the sage.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta to the water, and cook it about 2 minutes less than indicated on the box. Strain the pasta and add it to the saucepan over a medium-high heat, toss it around for a few seconds, then add the grated Pecorino, toss for one minute.
• Garnish with some grated Pecorino, a drop of extra-virgin olive oil, and some ground black pepper. Serve with a bottle of robust red wine.

CLASSIC PASTA ALLA NORMA

Steps:

• Make a quick tomato sauce: Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in garlic, red pepper and basil leaves and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, stir and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside. (Sauce may be prepared up to 2 days in advance.)
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Turn heat to low and cover pot until it's time to cook the pasta.
• Put a wide cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil to coat surface of pan. When oil is wavy, test by adding a cube of eggplant. It should begin to sizzle and brown immediately. Fill the pan with a single layer of eggplant cubes. Turn eggplant with a spatula or tongs and brown nicely on all sides. Lower heat as necessary to maintain an even temperature; if the pan is too hot, the eggplant will burn.
• Remove cooked eggplant to a plate and continue to fry remaining eggplant in batches, adding more oil as necessary. Season finished eggplant with salt and pepper. (Alternatively, roast the eggplant on a baking sheet at 400 degrees, lightly drizzled with oil, until cooked and nicely browned, about 20 minutes.)
• To assemble and serve, boil pasta until al dente, leaving it a little firmer than normal. Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer. Add eggplant to sauce and gently stir to combine. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and add to sauce. Using 2 wooden spoons or tongs, toss pasta and sauce, and let cook 1 minute more. Thin sauce if necessary with a little pasta cooking water.
• Transfer to a warmed wide pasta bowl. Sprinkle with grated ricotta salata and bread crumbs. Garnish with torn or whole basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

ITALIAN TOMATO SOUP A LA MAMA

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a pan. Add onion and green pepper, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add flour and stir.
• Add stock, tomatoes and tomato puree. Simmer for 15 minutes. Puree soup and pass through a sieve.
• Return to pan, season with salt and pepper. Add pasta 10 minutes before serving. Simmer and stir occasionally. Add horseradish before serving.
• Garnish with sour cream and parsley. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI ALLA MAMMA

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Finely chop anchovis.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil, but not to smoking point!
• Add chopped parsley, stir, then add minced anchovis, garlic, pepperoni, shrimps.
• Fry for about one minute, then add tomato paste.
• Fry for about 30 seconds, stirring, then add canned tomatoes. Stir until nicely combined and heated through, then add cooked spaghetti.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Thoroughly mix until everything is combined and heated through.
• Serve and enjoy.

PASTA MAMA

Steps:

• Prepare pasta - fresh takes 2-3 minutes; follow directions on packaging of dry pasta (Leftover pasta can also be used. Add at same time as it is added below and warm in pan with 1 TBS. hot water before adding eggs.).
• Turn on medium flame. Pour oil (or melt butter) in 10 inch sauté pan.
• Add minced garlic and the last four ingredients (seasonings) ; sauté together 1-2 minute.
• Add parsley; add pasta with 1 TBS hot water (Make sure leftover pasta or cold pasta is hot before adding parsley or eggs).
• Add beaten eggs. Mix thoroughly.
• Add Parmesan, cook through and serve.