Calamari and pasta

Super simple and satisfying. I could just say, "make your favorite pasta sauce, add the calamari and simmer for 5 minutes, then serve with pasta and wine," but I know some folks enjoy a good list so here goes.... But first! Clean those beauties in a couple easy steps - check the VIDEO

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp. dried Italian herbs

  • 8 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 small yellow onion, minced

  • sliced fresh mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, or whatever sounds good

  • 1 slurp or 3 tbsp. red wine if you want to be specific

  • 1 (28-oz.) cans whole peeled tomatoes in juice, crushed (or large jar of fave pasta sauce)

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 lb. cleaned calamari, bodies cut into 1⁄4″-wide rings

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, plus red chile flakes if you're feeling spicy

METHOD:

  1. Boil some water for your pasta, cook it wilPut on some nice tunes and pour yourself a drink. Dance little. Heat oil in an medium saucepan over medium-high heat until it's shimmering

  2. Add onion, let it cook for a few minutes, then add your garlic and other veg (or not!), cook about 6 minutes more

  3. Splash in some wine, stir it around, let it cook down

  4. Add tomatoes (or sauce), bay leaf, and reduce heat to a low simmer

  5. Stir in calamari and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and, in my case, lots of red chile flakes

  6. Toss with your favorite pasta and voila! You're practically in Italy. Buon appetito!

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