Rigatoni With Fresh Plum Tomato Recipes

RIGATONI WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions; drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
• In a small skillet, heat oil over low heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring often, until tender and just beginning to take on color, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in red-pepper flakes.
• Stir garlic mixture into reserved tomato mixture. Add parsley, oregano, mozzarella, and pasta; toss.

RIGATONI WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet.
• Add garlic and fry until sizzling.
• Add tomatoes and basil and saute until tomatoes are tender. (about 5 minutes).
• Stir in salt and pepper.
• Add cheese cubes, stir quickly, and pour over pasta. (Cubes should be slightly melted but still retaining their shape).
• Serve and enjoy!

BAKED RIGATONI WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Prepare oven-dried tomatoes:
• Skin the tomatoes by placing them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then plunging them right away in ice water. This will help you remove the skin without cooking the tomatoes. Using a paring knife, peel the skin off the tomatoes and then cut them in 1/2 lengthwise. Place the tomatoes in a bowl, sprinkle with alt and add the thyme and 2 ounces of olive oil. Arrange the tomatoes with the thyme sprigs on a non-reactive baking pan. Leave enough space around the tomato halves so they don't touch, allowing air to circulate and dry them out. Put them in a 300 degree F oven to dry for 2 hours.
• Prepare the garlic:
• Place the garlic cloves in a small pot and cover with 2 cups of olive oil. Simmer very slowly for 40 minutes, until the garlic is soft. Remove them from the oil and set aside at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Prepare the eggplant:
• Slice the eggplant into 1-inch rounds. Put them in a bowl and sprinkle generously with salt. Drizzle olive oil over them and toss. Arrange the rounds on a baking pan, leaving enough space between each slice so that they cook evenly. Bake until they are soft and slightly brown, about 30 minutes.
• Prepare the pasta:
• In a large pot, bring to a boil 4 quarts of salted water. Add the rigatoni and cook until "al dente" or even slightly undercooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Since the pasta will be cooked in the oven, it's important not to overcook the pasta in the boiling water. Drain the pasta in a colander and toss with a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking. Set aside.
• Assemble and bake dish:
• Raise oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the pasta, eggplant, tomato, garlic, scallion and basil and mix well. Add the ricotta and toss gently so that the ingredients are distributed among the pasta but that the ricotta is not completely mixed through. The idea here is to have distinct and differing flavors, so it is important that the ricotta be spread in roughly tablespoon size pieces. Season, if necessary, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Transfer to a large greased earthenware or glass baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake in the oven until the pasta is brown and crisp on top, about 10 to 15 minutes.

FRESH PLUM TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and brown for 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, and sugar; cook for 15 minutes.
• Place a large bowl on a work surface. Insert a colander inside the bowl. Place cooked tomatoes in the colander to drain, saving excess liquid. Transfer tomatoes to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until blended to the desired consistency. Return tomatoes to the saucepan. Add basil and cook for 20 to 30 minutes more, adding some of the reserved tomato liquid if the sauce is too thick.

RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT, ITALIAN SAUSAGE, AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Put the eggplant cubes in a colander set over a bowl. Add 2 teaspoons salt and toss well. Let drain for 30 minutes. Squeeze the eggplant cubes vigorously to release additional moisture, then set aside on paper towels.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and sauté until browned in spots and tender, about 10 minutes. (Taste to be sure.)
• In a large pot, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is finely crumbled and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté briefly to release its fragrance. Add the tomatoes, Parmesan rind, and basil. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Stir in the eggplant. Season with salt and pepper and simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Remove the Parmesan rind.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Set aside 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Toss well, add the cheese, and toss again, moistening with reserved pasta water if needed. Serve immediately in 8 warm bowls and pass additional Parmesan cheese.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel or another robust red wine.

RIGATONI WITH FRESH PLUM TOMATO

Steps:

• Cook your rigatoni as instructed on the package, or use left leftovers,
• Spray a wok or large skillet with cooking olive oil spray.
• Heat over medium heat , add the onions garlic, and red pepper flakes if using.
• Cook and stir one minute.
• Add the sliced zucchini, basil, oregano (or marjoram) salt and pepper.
• Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes until zucchini is tender.
• Stir in the plum tomatoes and the cooked pasta.
• Heat thoroughly, But don't over cook.
• Place onto serving dishes and sprinkle with the crumbled cheese.