In response to my scurrilous insinuation that slow food is for old people with time on their hands, and therefore just not fast enough for us fast moving modern types, Judith Greenwood sent me one of her very quick to rustle up recipes to try.
Alas, this week has been a wee bit chaotic what with the little one being in hospital after his operation, so I have not had time to cook up Judith’s fast slow food based creation. So I thought maybe someone else may like to have a go. What follows certainly is a delicious sounding recipe.
Pasta with Gorgonzola and Pecans by Judith Greenwood
What you will need.
- About 280 grams (10 ounces) of penne pasta
- A huge pot of water
- A small handful of salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- A small onion, chopped somewhat finely
- A couple of handfuls of coarsely chopped pecans
- 250 grams (8 ounces – a typical package) of Gorgonzola dolce or other mild blue cheese, broken or cut into smallish pieces
The Method
Start the pasta water to boil. When the water is boiling, add the salt and the pasta and stir
In a heavy frying pan, heat the oil, and add the onion, cooking it slowly until it is softened. Add the pecans and stir about to toast and crisp them. Then add the broken up cheese to the fried onions and pecans, stirring to help it melt. Ladle a small amount of the pasta cooking water into the pan to make the sauce creamier. At this point, the pasta should be about done and it should be quite firm.
Drain the pasta and toss it into the frying pan, stirring to coat the pasta with the sauce. Taste for salt and correct if necessary. Note that some cheeses are saltier than others, so you can’t tell ahead whether you’ll need extra salt or not. Serve immediately, smoking hot.
Warning: This is a fast sauce. If it is cooked too long or cooked and reheated it will become lumpy and unpleasant. Gorgonzola piccante (spicy/hot) is very unpleasant in this sauce.
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Many thanks to Judith for this fast slow food. It certainly sounds good and quick, and aside from the ‘zola and the pecans, these are everyday ingredients to be found in most peoples’ kitchens.
Must have a go this weekend, and try it out on the young one too. My only slight reservations revolve around the gorgonzola, which may be a little strong for the little ones, and the pecans, which might be a little fattening for us big ones.
Still, as they say ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’.
Alex Roe says
You are right – I’m assembling the ingredients – very easy, only I can’t find the pecans. Will have a nutty hunt today. And cook and photograph this evening.
I think I’ve got sweet ‘zola – which I think is normal everyday ‘zola.
And yes, a few pecans every so often are unlikely to fatten anyone up!
Have a nice weekend Judith,
Alex
Judith in Umbria says
You can’t expect your readers to take your word for it without a trial and a photo!
PS the gorgonzola must be dolce. A handful of pecans for a family meal won’t make anyone fat!