Pasta in Eggplant and Tomato Sauce

from www.tastingtable.com  9/26/14

Pasta alla Norma

This classic pasta dish from Sicily is one of the easiest and most satisfying. Made with toasted garlic, fried eggplant, tomatoes, basil and a dusting of Grana Padano, it's everyday Italian comfort food at its best.

To learn more, read "Nightshade Delight."
Pasta alla Norma
Recipe adapted from Joe Pasqualetto, Rucola, Brooklyn, NY
Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced

2 medium eggplants, cut into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)

1 28-ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, drained and diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Salt, to taste

1 pound short-cut pasta, (such as caserecci or campanelle)

1 cup packed basil leaves, torn

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

4 ounces Grana Padano or ricotta salata, grated

DIRECTIONS
1. Add the olive oil to a large sauté pan set over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly until the garlic is toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, season with salt, and cook until the tomatoes just begin to break down, about 8 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain pasta and transfer to the tomato sauce and toss with half the basil and red pepper flakes to combine. Simmer until the pasta has soaked a bit of the sauce and the basil has wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve with remaining basil and garnish with Grana Padano.



Read more: http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/chefs_recipes/17964/How_to_Make_Pasta_alla_Norma.htm#ixzz3ERHSVAyb