Cherry Tomato Pancetta And Basil Sauce For Pasta Recipes

CHERRY TOMATO, PANCETTA AND BASIL SAUCE FOR PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200c.
• Place garlic cloves on baking sheet and cook about 8 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and pancetta to the sheet and cook a further 5 or 6 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to swell and the pancetta becomes crisp. Remove from oven and keep warm.
• Heat the oil and cream together in a big saucepan and bring to the boil; add the tomatoes garlic and pancetta.
• Bring a pot of well salted water to the boil. Cook pasta of choice-tagliatelle is suggested. Drain then add immediately to the sauce ingredients.
• Add the torn basil leaves and season pasta, toss well and serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

TOMATO-BASIL-PANCETTA PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta with some salt 'al dente' according to its package instructions and drain, wash with cold water.
• Prepare the vegetables: half the cherry tomatoes, slice the mushrooms, and shredd the basil (you can be a bit more liberal with the amount if you want). Last, chop the garlic-clove.
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, and add the pancetta. Stir on medium heat for about a minute until the pancetta gets crisp. Turn the heat down and add the garlic. Toss it for another minute, until slightly 'fried'*.
• Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, frequently turning them around. Now, add half of the port and cook further for 2 minutes until almost all the [port] liquid has evaporated.
• Turn the heat back to medium-heat and add the mushrooms and black pepper. Stir around the vegetables for 1 minute, and add the remaining port. Let the liquid evaporate slightly, after which you add the shredded basil.
• Cook for 2 more minutes until the basil has shrunk. At this stage, the vegetables should still be 'pooling' in a bit of liquid, which you do need to add flavor the pasta.
• Add the pasta and turn down the heat. Stir around for 2-3 minutes, to absorb [most of ] the sauce.
• Done! Serve in nice pasta bowls with some Parmesan/Pecorino cheese [if desired].

LINGUINE WITH PANCETTA AND SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook linguine in pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid. Return pasta to pot.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; stir 30 seconds. Add pancetta and crushed red pepper; sauté until pancetta is crisp, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes; sauté until soft, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer tomato mixture to pot with pasta. Add 3/4 cup cheese and 1/3 cup basil. Toss over medium heat until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta, adding cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls if dry. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with basil. Serve remaining cheese alongside.