Checca Recipes

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.

SPAGHETTINI WITH CHECCA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the next 7 ingredients in a food processor. Pulse just until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped (do not puree).
• Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with the tomato mixture and fresh mozzarella in a large bowl. Add some of the reserved pasta water (about 1/4 cup) if the sauce looks dry. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI WITH CHECCA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the oil, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, basil, onions, garlic, salt and pepper; cover and process until coarsely chopped. , Drain spaghetti and place in a bowl. Add the tomato mixture, mozzarella cheese and water; toss to coat.

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.

PASTA à LA CHECCA

Steps:

• 1. Cook the pasta until al dente.
• 2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, squeeze the tomatoes to break them up (it's faster than chopping, and your kid will likely love joining in).
• 3. Add the garlic, oil, arugula (if using), salt, and pepper; set aside.
• 4. Drain the pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of the water) and toss it with the tomatoes. If the pasta is still a little dry, add some of the cooking water.
• 5. Let sit until the heat from the pasta has cooked the tomatoes and garlic slightly and wilted the arugula, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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.

CHECCA SAUCE

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the cherry tomatoes, scallions, garlic, Parmesan, basil, and oil just until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped (do not purée). Transfer the sauce to a large bowl. Stir in the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper to taste. Toss the sauce immediately with your choice of freshly cooked pasta.