The interesting part about this pasta dish is the shape of the pasta. The vigour and the directness of the flavours and the comforting chew of the orecchiette make this a heart winning dinner plate. The pasta looks like little cups, like thumb caps, which are very efficient in holding the sauce. This was my first time with orecchiette too. There is a big pasta world out there and we are moderately moving forward to understand and discover more about it. Penne and spaghetti are habitually becoming a part of our food tables. No birthdays, get-togethers, or parties go without them. I am kind of bored seeing them everywhere. Trying out different is the sincerity shown by a true foodie. So this time I bought orecchiette pasta from the food hall. And what a success it was.
If you are wondering how to pronounce orecchiette – Oh-reck-ee-ET-tay. Even I had to struggle with the correct tone and pronunciation. Google is always there to help us. My roots are from Punjab and you will find a defective, awful pronunciation there, but you will find the best food. I consider food as the language to connect with people, not my words. HAHAHA
So orecchiette can be made just like any other pasta dish, which allows you the variations in the sauces. Make sure to boil the pasta as the package says and join it with the sauce of your choice. I went very simple with the flavours and ingredients. They speak of freshness and richness. Cherry tomatoes are blistered and coated with balsamic. The fresh basil and garlic along with parmesan make a delicious pasta dish. It looks and tastes like a pasta dish from a European restaurant. During most of my travels, I have met with many such pasta dishes, which speak of simplicity.
Funny is, in India, we adapt the recipes and then graft and bud them according to our taste. The innovation crafting by our Indian kitchens is extraordinary. Every house will have a different version, which is delicious by the way. Moving forward toward our recipe of Basil Orecchiette Pasta.
Make sure to boil the pasta as per the pack instructions. I believe, brands will differ in the thickness of the orecchiette and will have variation in the time of boiling.
Do save some of the pasta water, as it carries starchy goodness, which helps bind the dish together.
Blistering the cheery tomatoes, bring out the best flavour and when combined with the balsamic, it creates wonders in the taste zone. I love using these balsamic tomatoes on, my sourdough toast along with feta and in my salads too.
Fresh basil brings in the freshness, is don’t give it a miss. And as they say, when the dish is simple, we should keep all elements to the perfect tone.
Basil Orecchiette Pasta
Equipment
- 1 Boiling pot
- 1 Cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup orecchiette pasta https://amzn.to/38S3W3v
- Water to boil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil https://amzn.to/3PTMEDK
- 1 bunch cherry tomatoes
- salt to taste
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar https://amzn.to/3LZAjuj
- 1 tbsp oil
- 4-5 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1/4th cup parmesan grated https://amzn.to/3z9UDGU
- handful fresh basil
Instructions
- In a pan boil the water and add 1 tbsp of salt. Add the orecchiette pasta and stir it. Let the pasta boil, as per the time mentioned on the pack. Occasionally stir it and make sure not to overcook the pasta.
- Reserve a little pasta water and drain out the rest of the water, once the pasta is cooked.
- In another pan add a little oil and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle a little salt on them and blister the cherry tomatoes on medium flame. Make sure to swirl the pan, so you get even blistering on the tomatoes.
- Tomatoes will release water and the skins will wrinkle making the flavour more intense. Add in the balsamic vinegar and cook on a low flame for a few seconds more.
- Remove the tomatoes to a bowl. In the same pan add a little oil, followed by chopped garlic. Cook for a few seconds and add in the boiled orecchiette. Cook and stir for a brief time and add in the reserved pasta water. Cook till the water is evaporated and add in the parmesan.
- Mix well so the cheese is coated on to the pasta well. Top with the prepared balsamic cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy
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