Spicy Sausage Sauce with Tortiglioni Recipe

Serve this heady pasta dish with a robust Sicilian red wine.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

11 ounces dried tortiglioni

salt and ground black pepper

For the spicy sausage sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

2 large garlic cloves, crushed

1 fresh red chile, deseeded and chopped

1 pound ripe plum tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2/3 cup red wine

1 teaspoon sugar

6 ounces spicy salami, rind removed

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, to garnish 

freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole or large saucepan, then add the onion, celery, garlic and chile. Cook gently, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until softened.
2. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, sugar and salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil, stirring. Lower the heat, cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Add a few spoonfuls of water if the sauce becomes to thick. 
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large saucepan of rapidly boiling, salted water according to the instructions on the package, until al dente.
4. Chop the salami into bite-size chunks and add to the sauce. heat through, then taste for seasoning. 
5. Drain the pasta, put it in a large bowl, then pour on the sauce and toss to mix. Sprinkle on the parsley and serve with grated Parmesan. 

Cook's Tip

Buy the salami for this dish in one piece so that you can chop it into large chunks. 

Source: France, Christine. 2007. The Complete Guide to Make Sauces. Hermes House: London.