Turn Up the Heat in Your Kitchen

Something about it being so cold outside that makes you crave something hot to eat.

Nothing tastes better on a winter night than spicy comfort food. Like the “medicinal” glass of brandy in those old classic movies, spicy food warms your insides.

Below is a favorite for a winter supper. Add a loaf of crusty bread, maybe a simple salad if you’re feeling ambitious, a log on the fire (do we hear Johnny Mathis in the background?), and relax into the dark February evening.

This might even be one you save for Valentine’s Day!

Mediterranean Pasta Diablo

Ingredients

• 1 box (16 oz) fettuccini
• kosher salt
• extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 can (28 oz) san marzano tomatoes
• 1/2 cup julienned fresh basil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup assorted pitted olives
• ½ tsp thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• extra-virgin olive oil
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• fresh parmesan

Instructions

In a large saute pan add  2 TB olive oil over medium heat. Once you get a shimmer, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for a minute until garlic begins to turn white (do not burn the garlic). Add the chopped onion, pitted olives, ½ the julienned basil leaves, thyme and bay leaf then cook until translucent — about 2-3 minutes. Strain the tomatoes and hand crush into a separate bowl (reserve the liquid), then add to skillet. Bring to boil, turn heat to low and simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Add remaining basil and turn off heat. (Turn the sauce back on just before adding pasta).

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil to cook the pasta. Cook the fettuccini al dente then drain and dump directly into the Diablo Sauce (if necessary, add a small amount of reserved tomato juice to thin).  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with freshly shaved or grated parmesan cheese.