“Italian food has always been close to my heart. Growing up, I remember going to our local trattoria in Joburg to eat piping-hot cannelloni and crème caramel. And spaghetti Bolognese was the first dish I ever cooked. I love developing recipes for TASTE's annual Italian issue, using only quality ingredients and making sure that they are simple and accessible.” – Abigail Donnelly
1 SARDINES
Italian cooks often turn to canned or jarred fish as an inexpensive – and flavour-packed – source of protein. Keep a supply in your pantry and you'll always be prepared to make a quick midweek pasta full of flavour, from Sicilian pasta con le sarde to this tomato-based recipe below.
SARDINE PASTA WITH TOMATO AND CHILLI
“This Simple pasta is quick and easy to make – perfect for a meal when you're racing against the loadshedding schedule.”
Serves 4
EASY
GREAT VALUE
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes
olive oil 2 T
garlic 4 cloves, crushed
red chilli 1, finely chopped
tomato paste 1 T
peeled and diced tomatoes 1 x 410 g can
Woolworths Rosa tomatoes 200 g, halved
Woolworths smoked sardines 2 x 106 g cans, drained
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
fettuccine 400 g, cooked al dente
capers 2 T, fried (optional)
1 Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat. Fry the garlic and chilli for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and canned tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes. 2 Add the Rosa tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Carefully stir through the sardines. Season with salt. 3 Serve over the pasta. If using capers, sprinkle with black pepper.
FAT-CONSCIOUS, HEALTH-CONSCIOUS, DAIRY-FREE
WINE: Paul Cluver Pinot Noir
2 OLIVE OIL
There's a vast range of olive oils to choose from, but we recommend using a good-quality South African oil (and keeping your best extra virgin for that last drizzle on dishes, so that you can really appreciate the flavour). For air-frying, use an olive oil spray.
LENTIL RAGÙ WITH CONFIT BABY MARROW
“Make a big pot to eat with crusty bread, or serve it as a side to roast meat and sausages. The baby marrow
