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Pasta alla paolina

17/11/2023

Pasta alla Paolina is a traditional dish with Italian inspiration, although the name is not commonly recognized as a classic of Italian cuisine. Therefore, it might be a local variation or a homemade recipe that has been named “Paolina” after the person who devised it or who often prepares it.

However, imagining that it involves pasta with fresh and flavorful ingredients typical of Mediterranean cuisine, I can propose a possible interpretation of Pasta alla Paolina. If you have specific ingredients in mind or features of this recipe that you wish to retain, please provide them so I can further personalize the suggestion.

Here is a recipe that could reflect the spirit of a dish called “Pasta alla Paolina”:

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 250 g of cherry tomatoes
  • 100 g of pitted black olives
  • 2 tablespoons of salted capers
  • A bunch of fresh basil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated cheese (pecorino or parmesan) as desired

Preparation

  1. Boil a pot of salted water for the pasta.
  2. In the meantime, in a large pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil with the peeled and lightly crushed garlic cloves, to brown them and flavor the oil.
  3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and the previously desalted and rinsed capers, and cook over medium heat until the tomatoes begin to break down.
  4. Add the olives, sliced into rings or pieces as you prefer.
  5. Cook the pasta al dente, drain it, and keep some of the cooking water.
  6. Remove the garlic from the pan and add the pasta, mixing well to combine the ingredients. If necessary, add some cooking water to keep the sauce creamy.
  7. Add the hand-torn basil and mix gently.
  8. Serve with a sprinkling of grated cheese and a final drizzle of raw olive oil.

Curiosity

The name “Paolina” does not identify a specific dish in Italian cuisine, so this recipe is a free interpretation that calls to mind the flavors and ingredients of the Mediterranean. If there is a specific version of the dish you are looking for, share more details and it will be my pleasure to comply with the tradition that is dearer to you.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and if there are variations or a different interpretation you prefer, let me know!