Ugh...and a pasta dish!

First the Ugh part. I have been sick. I have been sick for about 2 weeks but only decided on Tuesday to go and see the Doctor. All of my holistic tricks had failed me and I needed some real stuff now. I have Strep throat. Why the hell I keep getting this I don't know but thank goodness my children never get it. Needless to say I have felt like crap. Today is the first day that I can say I am actually feeling good after several days on the couch watching Maggie and the Ferocious Beast and Hannah Montana!

Quick and easy pasta dish!

Anyway now onto the pasta dish. This is a recipe that I yanked out of the Food & Wine magazine when I traveling up to Toronto a couple of weeks ago. I had intended to make it when I was up there but we just ran out days. I made this the other night and was it ever good! It may be a little spicy from the red pepper flakes in it so if this is for children you might want to add less. My youngest one did fine with it but she likes spicy stuff - 5 years old, go figure???

Fettuccine with Tomatoes and Crispy Capers - (Food & Wine)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup small capers, drained and patted dry
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4 oil-packed anchovies, chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into 1-inch-wide ribbons
• 2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced basil
• 1 pound fettuccine
• Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. In a small bowl, toss the capers with the cornstarch and transfer to a sieve; shake off the excess cornstarch. Add the coated capers to the oil and fry over high heat, tilting and gently shaking the pan, until the capers are crispy and golden, about 3 minutes. Drain the capers, reserving 2 tablespoons of the oil in the skillet. Spread the capers on a paper towel–lined plate.
2. Add the anchovies and garlic to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring, until the garlic is golden and the anchovies dissolve, about 3 minutes. Add the prosciutto, separating the ribbons, and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and crushed red pepper and cook just until the tomatoes begin to break down, about 3 minutes. Stir in the basil.
3. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot along with the water and pour the sauce on top. Toss over high heat just until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with the crispy capers. Pass the grated cheese at the table.

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com