Two Italians Making Italian

Although (almost) fully recovered from the my boyfriend had a second girlfriend scandal of July 2013, I've definitely been surrounding myself with a lot more of my girlfriends lately - a) they can't cheat on me, and b) they know how to hold their liquor ;-). So, the other night my girl Leslie invited me to her place in Brooklyn for some pasta and wine.... aka the perfect Thursday night. After a short subway to Brooklyn and a quick stop at the store we were finally in the confines of her air conditioned apartment. 

I poured us two large glasses of wine and sat back as Leslie prepared me a delicious meal! (Who needs a boyfriend?)

Great wine... and very affordable!

We obviously needed to have some cheese with our wine.... wine without cheese is simply... unnatural.

You can't have wine without cheese.... 

Leslie decided she was going to make pasta with a spicy red sauce (quick and delicious!)

Start by chopping about 1/4 of a large white onion, or half of a smaller one. Also finely chop approximately two cloves of garlic (if you prefer you can mince the garlic instead).

Onion and fresh garlic

Add a little bit of evoo to a saucepan, and then add the garlic and onion to soften. Once they are almost translucent then add the sauce base (this is Leslie's favorite brand and can be purchased at Eataly).

Great sauce base

While this is happening you should also be boiling a pot of salted water for the pasta.

Beautiful chef!

After you add the sauce base, you should chop up one chili pepper, as well as chop up some basil. Then add both to the sauce. 

Once the water for the pasta is boiled add the pasta (pretty self explanatory). 

We used bucatini for this recipe, but feel free to use whatever kind of pasta you prefer! Bucatini isn't my favorite, however it does absorb the pasta sauce very well.

In a matter of approximately 30 minutes this recipe was completed. It's perfect for a date night, or just a quick meal after work. Garnish your pasta with a little bit of fresh parmesan cheese and enjoy!

I mean.... what's better than this?

Leslie and I

Grocery List

Sauce:

1 bottle of Antonella Tomato Puree

1/4 - 1/2 white onion (chopped)

2 - 3 cloves garlic (chopped or minced)

2 leaves basil (chopped)

1 red chili (chopped)

Pasta:

1 package Bucatini