Il Cucinologo
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Pasta with Red Pepper Cream

17/11/2023

Red pepper cream pasta is a flavorful dish that captures the essence of the Mediterranean. Here’s the recipe for you:

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (penne, fusilli, spaghetti or your favorite)
  • 2 medium red peppers
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 100 ml of cooking cream (for a lighter version you can use a plant-based cream)
  • Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • A pinch of chili flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan for serving (optional)

Preparation

  1. Wash the peppers, remove the stem and seeds, and cut them into strips or cubes.
  2. Finely chop the onion and garlic cloves.
  3. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent.
  4. Add the peppers, season with salt, and cook over medium heat with a lid for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta and salt it well.
  6. Once the peppers are soft and cooked, transfer them to a blender jar or use an immersion blender to purée them into a cream. If needed, add a little of the pepper cooking water to reach the desired consistency.
  7. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
  8. While the pasta cooks, reheat the red pepper cream in a skillet and add the cream. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, and add a pinch of chili flakes if desired.
  9. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water.
  10. Add the pasta to the skillet with the red pepper cream, stirring well to combine. If necessary, add a little cooking water to make the sauce more fluid.
  11. Plate the pasta and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil or parsley, and if you like, add some grated Parmesan.

Trivia

Red pepper cream is a versatile preparation that can also be used as a base for other recipes or as a topping for bruschetta and crostini. The natural sweetness of red peppers makes this dish a perfect balance of flavors, especially if paired with a fresh, fruity white wine.

Enjoy your meal! If you need other ideas or have dietary restrictions, don’t hesitate to ask.