Tonnarelli W/caper Pesto
Italy
Known as an Italian recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.
Ingredients 12 ingredients
- 1 tb Good quality red wine vinegar
- 1/4 c Fresh oregano leaves; loosely packed
- 6 quarts water
- 1/4 c Tomatoes, chopped & peeled
- 1/4 c Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 c Pecorino or Romano cheese; freshly grated
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 lb Imported dried tonnarelli, linguine or; spaghettini
- 2 lg Garlic cloves
- Pasta
- 1 c Fresh flat leaf parsley leaves; loosely packed
- 1 1/2 tb Capers in salt, rinsed & patted dry
Possible health benefits
General information, not medical advice.
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Tomato
High in protein · 1.2 g per 100 g, 21% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Source of vitamin C · 23 mg per 100 g, 29% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Tomatoes, green, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.
Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).
Cook safely
Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.
- Boiling water and steam. Turn pan handles inward, away from the edge of the hob. Lift lids away from you, and pour hot water away from your body: steam burns too.
- Blending hot liquid. Let it cool a little first, fill the blender no more than a third, and hold the lid down with a folded towel. Start on the lowest speed. A stick blender in the pan is safer.
- Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.
Method
Chef Wood
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- Fill a stockpot with 6 quarts of water, cover and bring to a boil.
- In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil and garlic; bring to a boil, cooking briskly until the garlic is golden. Remove from heat and let cool; swirl the pan to hasten the cooling.
- Transfer the garlic and oil to a blender or mini-processor. Add the tomato, capers and pulse until chopped. Add the parsley and oregano and pulse until chunky, then add the vinegar.
- Add 3 1/2 tablespoons of salt to the boiling water and add the tonnarelli. Cover partially until water just returns to a boil, then uncover, stir the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the tonnarelli, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with the caper paste. If the tonnarelli is dry, add some of the pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Garnish with cheese and serve immediately.
- Note: If you can't find capers in salt, you can use brine packed capers, with these modifications; double the amount called for in the recipe and add 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt to give them a boost. So as not to overwhelm their delicate taste, reduce the oregano to 2 tablespoons.
Plating
Cookware for this recipe
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Large pot
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Saucepan
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Blender
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Food processor
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Chef's knife
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Cutting board
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Grater
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Vegetable peeler
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Wooden spoon
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Colander