SPAGHETTI WITH SUN DRIED TOMATOES, OLIVES AND CAPERS: From /The Olive Harvest Cookbook: Olive Oil Lore and Recipes from the McEvoy Ranch (Weeknight Kitchen from The Splendid Table, 12/07/04)

Serves 5 as a main course, or 8 as a first course

The addition of dried currants makes this classic southern Italian dish
special. The combination of flavors gives the pasta an almost meaty
taste. The term pasta salad has received a deservedly bad reputation, so
I will only add that this dish is also good served cold.

* 1 red onion, sliced 1/8 inch thick and julienned
* 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra if needed
* 1 pound high-quality imported Italian spaghetti
* 2/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, with oil reserved,
and julienned
* 1/2 cup dry-cured black olives, pitted and julienned
* 2 tablespoons salt-packed capers, soaked in warm water for 10
minutes and drained
* 1/4 cup dried currants, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and drained
* Leaves from 1/2 bunch fresh basil, cut into chiffonade (about 1 cup)
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
* Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and/or chiffonade-cut
basil for serving (optional)

In a small sauté pan, combine the onion, garlic, and 1/4 cup olive oil over very low heat and warm for 10 minutes. The onion and garlic should not sizzle.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted, boiling water until al dente, 8 to 12 minutes, or according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, finish preparing the sauce.

In a large, warmed bowl, combine the onion mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, currants, basil, salt, and pepper. Measure the oil reserved from the tomatoes and add extra virgin olive oil as needed to total 1/4 cup. Add to the bowl and mix together well.

When the pasta is ready, drain it, add to the sauce, and toss to coat well. Divide among warmed individual bowls. Top with the cheese and/or basil, if desired, and serve at once.

The Wife wouldn't eat olives if you held a gun to her head--and then she complains about how passive/aggressive such behavior is--so someone else will have to tell us if this is any good.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 7, 2004 3:22 PM