Jack T.

Name: Jack T                            Class: Luria

My Recipe:

2T garlic (minced) 4t olive oil 28 oz can italian tomatoes 1t salt ¼t black pepper ¼t dried oregano ¼t crushed  red pepper flakes ½ cup pitted chopped kalamata olives 2T rinsed salt packed capers

Method: In large skillet, cook garlic in olive oil over medium heat.  Before garlic burns, add tomatoes with juices, using spoons to break up the tomatoes.  Add the salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, capers and olives.  Stir to combine. Turn heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to make a thick, flavorful sauce (about 2 ½ cups).  Cook one pound of pasta per instructions, wider noodles work better.  Serve sauce on noodles with freshly grated parmesan.

My Recipe came from the Italian culture.

Who is my mentor and what did I learn from my mentor?

My mentor is my Dad. My dad is ¼ Italian. He taught me how to make the sauce and the history of pasta in Italy. I also learned where the ingredients are grown, from him.  It’s not an old family recipe, however one day it will be!

The name of the food I am studying. Please talk about the history of the food, where in the world it is grown and how it is used in different types of cooking.  Make sure state your source of information.

The food I studied is pasta with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese.

The history of pasta:  Some people think pasta came to Italy from China, but noodles date back to Greek and Roman times.  Back then, pasta was called lagane which also has the same root as the word lasagna. Pasta was forgotten until Italian explorer, Marco Polo, rediscovered it in China and brought it back to Italy in 1295. In the 1300’s, pasta was a staple on ships because of a long shelf life and high nutritional values.  Pasta didn’t meet tomatoes until the nineteenth century. 

Pasta is made of durum wheat.  There’s a lot of pasta in Italy because the climate is perfect for growing durum wheat. 

Pasta is used in several types of cooking.  One dish pasta is used in is lasagna.  Another food that pasta is used in is soup.  Mac and cheese, my favorite, is another example.

My sources: My dad and lifeinitaly.com/food/pasta.history.asp