Not sure what to have for dinner? Then try rustling up this Pasta alla norma.
Our resident food writer Mandy Applegate has come up with a tasty Sunday evening meal.
Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cooking time: 50 minutes. Servings: 4.
Ingredients: 450g Marinara sauce recipe link in notes, 2 medium aubergines, 54g extra virgin olive oil, 225g rigatoni, 25g fresh basil, ½tsp dried oregano, 1tsp red pepper flakes, ½tsp thyme, 2tsp extra virgin olive oil, 75g vegetarian parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to season.
Instructions: If you are going to make your own marinara sauce (see link in notes below), then start with this. If you are using a jar of marinara or tomato sauce, then gently warm it in a pan.
Preheat your oven to 220°C/425F. To prevent your eggplant from sticking, line two baking trays with parchment paper.
Remove the ends from your eggplants and if you would like striped eggplant slices, then use a vegetable peeler and peel stripes but this is not essential. Now cut into slices that are roughly 1cm/½ inch thick. Use extra virgin olive oil to brush the eggplants on both sides, then season with salt and ground black pepper. Roast the eggplants for 35-40 minutes or until they are very golden brown (see image). Halfway through cooking, turn the slices over.
Now cook your pasta of choice, bring a pan of salted water to a boil, and cook your pasta according to the packet instructions; you’ll want al dente pasta.
When your roasted eggplant is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and place it into your warm marinara sauce, stirring it in gently. Now add fresh basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, thyme, and the remaining teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil and stir to combine.
Now place your pasta into the tomato sauce. Gently stir to combine all the ingredients. Add around two-thirds of your grated parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Taste and then, if necessary, season with salt and pepper
serve in bowls, sprinkle the remaining grated parmesan cheese on top, and garnish with fresh basil delicious – enjoy!
For more information on our pasta alla Norma https://www.splashoftaste.com/easy-pasta-alla-norma/
