Friday, April 20, 2012

Spicy Penne Rigate with Sausage and Peppers

Tonight's Menu
Spicy Penne Rigate
Grilled Peppers
Grilled hot Italian Sausage
Wine Pairing: Merlot, Zinfandel

Spicy Penne Rigate with Hot Italian sausages and grilled peppers

Combining the velvety spicy tomato sauce with hot Italian sausages and grilled bell peppers creates a delectable pasta dish liked by all. I always use the Penne Rigate for this combo since it has more ridges to accumulate the tomato sauce. The plum tomatoes combined with cherry tomatoes give it the tartness to balance out the heat from red pepper flakes and Italian sausages.

Make use of the grill for the peppers and sausages while you boil the pasta and simmer the sauce. Then combine all and its dinner time.
Ingredients: (serves 4)
2-3 hot Italian sausages
4 bell peppers of assorted colours cut in strips
3 cups whole wheat penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3-4 cloves garlic grated
1 red onion chopped
2 cups plum tomatoes crushed
2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
2 tsp dry basil
1 tsp red chilli flakes (optional)
handful fresh coriander chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated cheese Parmigiano-Reggiano or your choice of cheese ( I used feta )

Grilled Peppers 
  1. Keep a large pot of water with 1 tsp salt to boil and preheat the grill. 
  2. Take bell peppers in a large bowl and toss them in 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp dry basil. 
  3. Grill the sausages and peppers till sausages are fully cooked through and peppers are slightly charred.  
  4. While these are grilling heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan and sauté garlic, onion and red chilli flakes till onions turn pink about 3-4 minutes. 
  5. Add the tomatoes and basil along with salt and pepper and cook on high till the mixture starts to boil. Simmer covered for 5-7 minutes. 
  6. Boil pasta according to package directions until al-dente, drain. 
  7. When the sauce is done take it off the heat and add boiled pasta along with grilled peppers. Mix to combine. 
  8. Slice the grilled sausages. 
  9. Serve pasta in individual bowls topped with sliced sausage, grated or crumbled cheese and fresh coriander. 
Spicy Penne Rigate with Hot Italian sausages and grilled peppers

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