Arrabiata Sauce is one of my favorite sauces and I use it for pasta especially Penne and for many other dishes. It is healthy, full of texture and color and easy to prepare.
Arrabiata goes very well with cottage cheese and my boys love it.
Cooked or heat processed tomatoes contain more lycopene, because cooking helps to release lycopene from the tomato cells.
Lycopene is fat soluble, so it helps to cook it in oil, such as olive oil.
The main ingredients for Arrabiata are tomatoes and garlic. Those who love garlic like I do can use it as a main flavor in this recipe.
Presence of peperoncino (chili flakes) gives it a defining characteristic (and a lively kick). I add basil and coriander to enhance the taste.
The basic ingredients for the Arrabiata sauce I make for this particular dish are :
Tomatoes- 1/2 kg ( grated)
Garlic- 10pods ( peeled and finely chopped)
Onions – 2 large
coriander - 5 table-spoon ( finely chopped)
Crushed red pepper flakes – 1 tea-spoon ( optional)
( I use finely chopped green chilli )
Olive oil – 2 table-spoon
Black Pepper – finely crushed 1 tea-spoon
Cumin Seeds – 1Teaspoon
Salt – to taste
Tomato Ketchup – 6 tablespoons
Other Ingredients :
Cottage Cheese – 300grms
Spring Onions 2 fresh and finely chopped springs
Method :
Heat a non stick heavy bottom pan. Add olive oil. keep the flame medium low. Add cumin seeds . When they splutter add onion and garlic. Stir till golden in color. Add tomatoes and keep stirring till the mixture begins to thicken. Add salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes/ green chilies also add tomato ketchup.
Keep it covered on low flame for sometime till the excess water gets absorbed and the sauce gets a smooth look.
Add chopped spring onions and half the quantity of coriander.
Stir in cottage cheese cubes .
( I cut the cottage cheese in small cubes and place them in hot salted water till ready to use. It makes them remain soft)
Cover the pan and cook for sometime till the cheese and sauce blend beautifully.
Remove from heat and add rest of the coriander .
Serve hot .
I use it for filling sandwiches or on bread pizzas as topping too apart from eating with hot roties or parathas .
