Alla Checca Recipes

SPAGHETTI ALLA CHECCA RECIPE FROM ROME

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes into cubes and leave them in a colander to naturally lose some of their water, without removing the inner flesh with the seeds.
• Chop the parsley and tear the basil leaves into pieces. Roughly chop the pitted olives.
• Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again.
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan or skillet. Let it heat gently, over a very low heat for about a minute. Add a tablespoon of chopped parsley, 4-5 chopped basil leaves and a pinch of fennel seeds and the olives
• After a minute, add the chopped tomatoes to the mixture. Stir, season with salt, cover and cook slowly, over low heat for 10-15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and season with a generous amount of freshly ground pepper. Add some more chopped fresh parsley and basil. Let the sauce rest while you cook the pasta. It helps to enhance the flavours!
• Throw the spaghetti into the boiling salted water and cook al dente according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is ready save a cup of the cooking water and drain it.
• Add the pasta to the sauce while it is still very hot. If the sauce seems dry, add some of the pasta cooking water or another couple of tablespoons of oil. If using a serving dish as I did, turn the pasta alla checca out into a serving bowl and then add the burrata. Sprinkle with more fresh parsley and basil. Serve immediately!

ALLA CHECCA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil in a non-metal bowl. Stir in salt. Cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit at room temperature at least 2 hours, or as long as 10 hours.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain. Pour uncooked sauce over hot pasta, and toss. Add grated Parmesan cheese to your liking.

ADI GIOVANETTI'S PASTA ALLA CHECCA (LINGUINE WITH FRESH HERBS)

Steps:

• Over medium heat, saute the chopped onion in the olive oil until onion is just golden brown. Remove from heat and add the tomatoes, juice and all. Crush the tomatoes slightly with a fork. Return to low heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened. Taste for seasoning and add salt and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
• While the sauce is cooking, wash and dry the arugula, discarding thick stems. Cut into thin ribbons and set aside.
• Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add salt if desired and when water reboils, add pasta. Stir vigorously with a long-handled wooden spoon or fork to separate pasta strands and bring water quickly back to a boil.
• When pasta is done, drain quickly and turn into a warm serving bowl. Remove sauce from fire and add the arugola, stirring to mix well. Pour sauce over pasta and sprinkle with half the pecorino cheese. Serve immediately, passing the rest of the cheese separately.

SIMPLE & DELICIOUS PENNE ALLA CHECCA

Steps:

• Boil the tomatoes for about 4-5 minutes. Not fully cooked just until they kinda crack and the tomato skin come off easy. Peel them, get the seeds out and then dice them.
• In a large bowl: Add the diced tomatoes, the fresh basil, oregano and thyme finely chopped, the garlic and the extra virgin olive oil.
• Salt and pepper for taste. Mix all the ingredients and to combine this delicious flavors just put them away for a bit -- while the pasta is cooking.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente or just follow the package instructions.
• Cut the mozzarella cheese into 1/2 inch cubes.
• When the pasta is ready, save a 1/4 cup of pasta water, just in case the sauce looks a little dry or if you just want it a little more saucy.
• Drain pasta.
• Toss the hot pasta in the bowl with the fresh tomato mixture, add the mozzarella then toss again. Add pasta water if necesary.
• Plate, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!

ALLA CHECCA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil in a non-metal bowl.
• Stir in salt.
• Cover with plastic wrap.
• Allow to sit at room temperature at least 2 hours, or as long as 10 hours.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
• Drain.
• Pour uncooked sauce over hot pasta, and toss.
• Add grated Parmesan cheese to your liking.

SPAGHETTI ALLA CHECCA

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.
• Add a tablespoon of salt and the pasta.
• Be sure all the strands are submerged.
• While that cooks combine tomatoes, mozzarella and herbs.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a saucepan until smoking hot.
• Pour over the tomato mixture.
• When pasta is done, drain and add to the tomato mixture.
• Toss until well coated.
• Cover bowl and let stand about 2 minutes so the cheese begins to melts.