Saturday, March 06, 2010

Penne with Tomato Bacon Sauce

This is the pasta sauce I crave more than any other. It's easy to make and perfect when there's a finicky eater at the table because the bacon is irresistible. You can combine the simple flavours of a great tomato sauce with a crowd-pleasing bacon, and you're guaranteed a winner. Serves 4.

Toss 8 slices of chopped bacon into a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add a splash of water. Cooking until the water evaporates and the bacon begins to brown. Continue stirring, lowering the heat a notch, until the bacon is crispy and brown. Drain away most (or some) of its fat, leaving enough behind to saute the vegetables.

Add 1 finely chopped onion and 8 cloves thinly sliced garlic and cook until they softens and begin to caramelize. Pour in one 28-0z (796 mL) can of crushed tomatoes, rinsing out the can with a splash of water and adding that too. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, rosemary or oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes or so.

Cook one lb (454g) penne in lots of boiling salted water. Toss with the sauce and enjoy!

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