For most people, Italian cuisine is all about pasta and pizza. Any conversation on Italian food is incomplete without a mention of the favourite pastas, pizza toppings, sauces and much more. Not just this, the Italians are also known for a wide variety of condiments, especially the sauces and herbs they use in their cooking.
One such classic Italian sauce is arrabbiata. This sauce is well-known around the world and is most commonly added to pastas. Did you know that the word arrabbiata comes from the Italian word for angry? Yes, that’s true. The roots of this etymology lie in the use of ingredients like red peppers in the making of the sauce that make it spicy and indicate its angry flavour. Not just hot taste, the sauce is also known for its rich tomato base and garlicky touch, which when added to a bowl of pasta, makes it tangy and tasty.
To devour the goodness of arrabbiata sauce over the week, here is a yummy penne arrabbiata recipe by Chef Vikram Simha Akula, Head Chef, Glocal Junction, Mumbai.
Ingredients:
• 1 packet penne pasta
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 chopped onion
• Tomato sauce
• Grated parmesan cheese
• 4-5 basil leaves
• Butter
• Exotic vegetables
• Olive oil
Method:
• In a pan, add 1½ tbps of salt and keep the heat on high till the water comes to a boil.
• Once done, add penne pasta. Continue to boil the pasta on a medium flame.
• Continue to boil until the pasta is soft and completely cooked. Keep about half a cup of the pasta water aside and drain the rest.
• While the pasta is cooling down, prepare the arrabbiata sauce.
• Take a pan and add olive oil and butter.
• Let the oil heat and then add finely chopped garlic and onions.
• Sauté it for a few seconds and then add one cup of blanched tomato chunks, tomato puree and tomato juice.
• Mix the sauce and let it heat for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit.
• Now add one cup of exotic vegetables of your choice along with some parmesan cheese.
• Top it with some salt and pepper as per taste. Mix well until the cheese combines with the sauce.
• To finish the sauce, add the pasta water and give it a good mix.
• Once the sauce is ready, add the penne pasta and carefully mix it using tongs for around 2-3 minutes and keep stirring it frequently to keep the pasta from sticking.
• Garnish it with some fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese and serve with a cheesy garlic bread.