Angry Noodles!

Even the gnome knows it's hot!

The comes from the K2 family recipe vault and we think it was translated from an Italian cookbook originally, but no one can remember back that far.  It's simple to make and, even better, adjustable which means you can make your noodles as angry as you want. We went with a middle of the road anger that leaves a nice light coating in your mouth, just enough to give it a little sting, but not enough to make you cry.

Penne all'Arrabiata
(arrabiata = angry)

14 oz box penne
6-8 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
2/3 stick of butter
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes *
16 oz can peeled tomatoes (we recommend Cento, yellow can), smooshed
7-8 basil leaves, minced or 1 tsp dried basil or 2 tsp basil goop **

Take the prosciutto slices and rough cut them into smaller pieces, doesn't need to look neat or pretty.

In a hot skillet, melt half of the butter and then cook the prosciutto in it until the color changes.  Remove prosciutto from pan and set aside.

so okay, cooked prosciutto is not as pretty as
uncooked, but it tastes just as good, trust us 

Melt the rest of the butter in the same skillet, then add in the garlic and pepper flakes.  Cook until the garlic turns yellow.

Before adding the tomatoes, you want to gently smoosh the tomatoes with your hand.  We find this is the best way to get the tomatoes to the texture and consistance we like.  You'll want to pull the tomatoes into smaller pieces.  It seems weird, but it's fun!

we say gently smoosh because if you just grab and
squish them, you should expect a tomato shower

Once the tomatoes have been properly smooshed, add them with the basil to the skillet.  Let simmer for about 30 minutes over low heat.

In the meantime you can prepare the noodles according to the box directions.

Once the noodles are cooked and drained, mix them with the sauce and add in the prosciutto.  Top with your favorite grated cheese, serve with bread and wine, and you have a scruptious pasta dinner.

* adjust the amount to suit your taste:
           1/2 tsp -- just a little pissed
           1 tsp -- angry
           1-1/2 tsp -- hopping mad
           2 tsp -- just gone Vesuvius
           2+ tsp -- RIP

** in case you don't have access to fresh basil, or say you ran out of the house and forgot to take some along, and the store you stopped at before cooking didn't have any fresh basil leaves, and you really aren't fond of dried basil unless it's winter and you can't use basil from your garden, then we recommend basil goop.  It's as fragrant as fresh basil and easy to measure out.  A good substitute if the need calls for it.