Penne In Arrabiata

Penne in Arrabiata and Knorr's Vegetable Hara Bhara soup

We are not a Pasta loving family. Pasta is made on days we want a change without much fanfare. Penne Arrabiata is the most dependable recipe. Nothing goes wrong with this one. Posting it for Hrushi who is caught in the harsh winter in England.

This is simple to make. A fool proof recipe just right for a bachelor.

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked Penne pasta
4 large tomatoes
4 onions
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon dried Basil or fresh as much as you like
salt to taste
3 teaspoons Olive oil
and
cheese (I used cheddar)

First cook the Pasta al dente (slightly undercooked) or phaphadit as we say in Marathi. You will need to cook the pasta in about four cups of water. Once the pasta is plump drain the extra water. Add cold water and drain it again. Leave just a little bit of water in it at the bottom so it does not stick to the vessel.

Now get to making the sauce. Start by cutting the onions. Fry them till translucent in the Olive oil. Cut up the tomatoes in chunks. Add them and fry them along with the onions. Cook them down until really mushy soft. Add the salt, basil and give it a stir. Now add the cooked pasta along with the saved liquid. Cook for 5 mins, tossing intermittently. If you find it difficult to toss use a fork to mix gently.

Serve in a deep plate, spoon the sauce over it. Grate the cheese on it in generous amounts. I used cheddar. Use whatever type you have. Even paneer crumbled over it is yummy. Eat it immediately.

Tip:
If you want to freeze pasta. Always and always freeze cooked pasta separately. Make sauce in large amount and store separately. Do this prep on the weekend. When you are back from work tired and hungry remove as much cooked pasta as you need in a sauce pan. Add the sauce and 1/2 cup water to give it more sauciness. Mix and heat. Enjoy it hot while you catch up with the day's news.