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© Copyright 1995-2023, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>, Manhattan Beach, CA USA
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Recipe from: Jerry DeAngelis
Servings: 6
⅛ pound pancetta, chopped
⅛ pound prosciutto, chopped
1 16 ounce. can diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon oregano
½ pound ditalini
1 cup cannellini beans, cooked
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper, to taste
Add the olive oil to a heavy bottomed non-reactive pot large enough to hold all of the ingredients and 3 -4 cups of water. Add the chopped Pancetta and the prosciutto if using it. Brown these ingredients for about a minute, then add the garlic. Cook for another minute, then add the tomatoes. Turn the heat up high and cook for 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Add 4 cups of water and the tomato paste. Add the oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Stir for 10- 20 seconds. Partially cover and let this sauce cook for 30-45 minutes.
Add the pasta and the beans, turn the heat to medium and cook until for another about 15-20 minutes.
Serving Suggestion:
Serve in bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto each serving, mix and eat!
Note:
A very simple way of preparing excellent beans is as follows: Add 2-3 cups of beans to a bean pot. Cover them with water enough to have at least 1 inch of water over the beans. Place the covered pot into a 250 degree oven, and let the beans cook for 4-6 hours, checking every hour or so to assure that the water has not evaporated and the beans do not burn. Stir gently every hour or so. When the beans are a bit al dente, remove from the oven, strain and put into a container for future use. At this point you have unflavored beans which can be used in any number of dishes, including the one here. If you can't wait to try them, put some in a small bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, salt and eat while warm. Try to save a cup for the Past e Fagioli. If you want a bit of flavor, add a sliced onion to the beans and leave it there while cooking. Beans prepared in this way serve as a basic ingredient for a variety of dishes.