Pasta Alla Norma

Sicilian pasta with eggplant covered in homemade marinara sauce. This pasta is a mouth-watering feast, one bite, and you'll be craving more. I made marinara sauce from scratch, and it was worth the effort and time. It indeed gives a great freshness to the pasta. Served with some baked eggplant and fresh basil. This pasta is a treat.

Serves: 6

Ingredients

400g Whole peeled Tomatoes Can

1 Large brown Onion halved

4 Garlic cloves

5g Oregano leaves

1 tsp Chilli flakes

Salt to taste

1 tsp Black pepper powder

3 Eggplants

500g Rigatoni

15g Basil leaves

6 Tbsp Parmesan

4 Tbsp oil olive

Method

Step 1

Cut your onion in half. Peel and crush your garlic cloves. Chop oregano leaves into fine pieces.

Add 2 Tbsp of olive oil to a deep, heavy bottom pot on medium heat. Then add your tomatoes with the juices.

Step 2

Add your onion, garlic cloves and oregano. Stir well. Then add chilli flakes and bring the sauce to a boil. Then turn the heat to a low and cover the pot with a lid. Stir the sauce occasionally, smashing the tomatoes and garlic on the pot's side. Let the sauce simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 215°c. Cut the eggplant into thin slices. In a baking tray, add parchment paper and place your eggplant slices on the tray. Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle some oregano.

Step 4

Place in the oven for 40 minutes and flip them over after 20 minutes. In a large pot, add water and salt. Bring the water to a boil. Then add your pasta. Keep on heat till the pasta is thoroughly cooked. Drain the pasta and keep it aside.

Step 5

After 1 hour, smash any left tomatoes or garlic. Add salt and pepper, and mix well. Discard the onions from the sauce, add basil leaves, baked eggplants and pasta. Mix thoroughly. Drizzle 2 Tbsp olive oil.

Step 6

Serve with parmesan shavings and hot garlic bread.

Tips

1. Be sure to cook the tomato sauce for at least 45 minutes—Cook longer for a flavourful sauce.

2. Make sure to stir the sauce at intervals so it doesn't stick to the base.

3. Always salt your water before adding pasta!