I spent almost whole of my college days feeding on Spaghetti in Arabiatta Sauce from the Pizza Hut on Radhakrishnan Salai, Chennai. Even after tasting far better and more authentic forms of the same dish, I haven't been able to get over it. And after sudden craving for it, I decided to make it at home with relying just on memory on how it tastes. Trust me or even my husband, when we say it tasted just the same. Also, this is an excellent dish for even toddlers to enjoy. Mine did.
One rule of thumb before you begin to try any Italian dish, do not attempt unless your kitchen store has stocks of extra-virgin Olive Oil, wine (I use non-alcoholic), fresh basil, garlic and cheese. Else, forget matching upto the authentic taste.
Ingredients:
Serves Two
Cooked Pasta (I have used Spaghetti) - about 4 cups
For the sauce:
7-8 Sun Dried Tomatoes. You get these in the supermarkets,else have it home-made. Mash them all with a masher or just run it through a blender to coarsely grind them into a semi-solid mass.
3-4 tomatoes coarsely run through the food processor. It shouldn't be like a paste, but like a thick pulp
2 tbsps Tomato Puree
2 medium sized Onions, finely chopped
4-5 garlic cloves crushed or finely chopped
10-12 fresh Basil leaves, torn roughly
1 and 1/2 tsp or even less Wine - white or red, preferrably red for this dish
2 tsps lemon juice
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Butter (optional)
1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
chilli flakes
Salt and Pepper to taste
Method:
In a large saucepan, add 2 tbsps of olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter (if you want to skip the butter, substitute it with olive oil). Once the oil if hot enough, throw in the onions, garlic, chilli flakes and saute till the onions turn transparent. Add the fresh tomato pulp and the puree and simmer till the raw flavour of tomatoes is gone. Now add the sun dried tomatoes and basil; and mix well. saute till the oil seperates. Now add wine and stir till it bubbles. Now pour in the lemon juice, salt, pepper and mix well. Finish it with 1/2 cup grated cheese and close the lid, so that the cheese melts. Add the cooked paste and mix well. Garnish with the left over cheese and some dried mixed herbs if you wish to and serve hot with garlic bread.
