Spaghetti Syracuse Style Recipes

EASY SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, water and spaghetti; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until spaghetti is tender. Add process cheese; stir until melted. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

PASTA WITH BREAD CRUMBS AND ANCHOVIES, SICILIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Place olive oil and garlic in a heavy skillet and gently cook the garlic over medium heat until golden. Discard garlic. Add the red-pepper flakes and anchovies and mash to a puree with the back of a wooden spoon over very low heat, about one minute. Remove from heat. Do not allow oil to get very hot. Can be prepared in advance to this point.
• Cook the spaghettini in boiling, salted water until cooked al dente. While the pasta is cooking, transfer three tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to the anchovy-oil mixture in order to stretch the sauce; reheat carefully. Drain pasta, then transfer it to the skillet and toss with the hot sauce. Divide evenly on four heated dishes, sprinkle with parsley and serve at once. Pass the bread crumbs.

SPAGHETTI SYRACUSE STYLE

Steps:

• Arrange eggplant on double thickness of paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Pat eggplant dry with paper towels. Char bell pepper over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Wrap in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and slice pepper into thin strips. Blanch tomatoes in pot of boiling water for 20 seconds. Drain. Peel tomatoes. Cut tomatoes in half; squeeze out seeds. Chop tomatoes; set aside.
• Heat oil in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté until light brown, about 3 minutes. Discard garlic. Add eggplant to pot; sauté until beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add anchovies; stir 2 minutes. Add tomatoes; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes. Add olives, basil, capers and bell pepper strips and simmer until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm over low heat before using.)
• Cook spaghetti in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well. Transfer spaghetti to large shallow bowl. Spoon sauce over. Sprinkle with cheese.