FoodOpinion..............10

from Druid City Living February 2021 Edition

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FOOD

DCL Recipes: Traditional Tomato Pasta Sauce and an Almond Joy Martini

BY AMY POORE

This month, I’m giving you two of my favorite recipes – one for a traditional tomato sauce that’s perfect for almost any pasta dish, and another that is the perfect relaxing cocktail to end a long day. Those of you who love Almond Joy candy bars are going to flip over this martini. Cheers, and Bon Appetit!

Traditional Tomato Pasta Sauce

•4 tablespoons butter •1 small onion, chopped •3 cloves garlic, minced • 1, 28 oz can Whole, peeled San Marzano tomatoes •1/2 teaspoons fresh cracked pepper •1/2 teaspoon salt •8 ounces spaghetti •Fresh basil •Parmesan cheese Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat (careful not to scorch). Cool onion, stirring occasionally until soft. Add garlic, stirring constantly, and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Crush tomatoes with your hand before adding them along the juice. Add pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered, while occasionally stirring and continuing to break up tomatoes for 30 minutes. Sauce with thicken. Finish with salt. While sauce is simmering, cook spaghetti to al dente according to directions. Reserving 1/2 cup of the starch water, drain pasta and add to sauce. Stir to coat. If noodles are too “sticky,” add pasta water to thin as needed. Serve with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

Amy Poore

Traditional Tomato Pasta Sauce

Almond Joy Martini

•Chocolate syrup, for serving •Finely chopped toasted almonds, for serving •1 oz. vodka •1 oz. coconut rum •1/2 oz. cream of coconut (such as Coco López) •1/2 oz. amaretto liqueur •1 oz. half and half •Ice

Place chocolate syrup and chopped almonds on two separate small, shallow plates. Dip rims of martini glasses first in chocolate, then in almond. Chill until ready to use. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, coconut rum, cream of coconut, amaretto, and half and half. Fill shaker with ice and shake until cold, about 30 seconds. Drizzle more chocolate inside glasses. Strain cocktail into prepared martini glass to serve.

Amy Poore is a Tuscaloosa mom, a wife, and a foodie. To see more of Amy’s delicious recipes, visit her blog, Poore Amy, at pooreamy.com