6 people
DINNER
Ina Garten Cooking for Jeffrey (p.112)
Summer tomatoes - 5 lbs
Red onion - 1 1⁄2 cups
Celery - 1 1⁄2 cups
Carrots - 3
Garlic - 6 cloves
Red wine - 1⁄2 cup
Tomato paste - 1⁄4 cup
Basil - 1⁄2 cup
Parsley - 1⁄4 cup
Sugar - 1 tbl
Red pepper flakes - 1⁄2 tsp
Orecchiette pasta - 1 lb
Pecorino or Parmesan - 2 oz
Red onion - dice
Celery - dice
Carrots - dice
Garlic - mince
Basil - chop
Parsley - mince
Parmesan or Pecorino - grate
Bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Plunge the tomatoes into the water for 15 to 45 seconds, drain and immerse in a large bowl of cold water. Remove the cores and peel the tomatoes with a small knife. Cut the tomatoes into 1 1⁄2 inch dice and set aside.
In a large heavy pot, heat 1⁄3 cup of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and cook stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes until the vegetables ar tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
Add the tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, basil, parsley, sugar, red pepper flakes, 1 tbl salt and 1 tsp pepper. Bring toa s immer, lower the heat and cook almost totally covered for 1 hour stirring occasionally. In batches, pour the sauce into a food processor fitted with teh steel blade and pulse 2 to 3 times until roughly chopped.
To serve, cook the orecchiette in a large pot of boiling salted water, following the directions on the package and drain. Pour the pasta sauce into the pasta pot and reheat over medium heat until simmering. Stir in the cooked pasta and 1 tbl salt and cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Taste for seasonings and ladle into large shallow pasta bowls. Sprinkle with the Pecorino and/or Parmesan and serve hot with extra cheese on the side.