Rachael Ray: Rachael's Daytime Talkshow

Rachael and John's Anniversary Meal: Pasta with Eggplant and Pork

Aired on: September 21, 2010

This recipe has become a family favorite of ours. I wrote this recipe based on a late summer lunch John and I shared while planning our wedding in Montalcino, Italy. It's simple to make but very special in the combination of flavors. I've tried to perfect it over the 5 years I’ve been making it.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chicken stock
A good pinch of saffron threads, about 24
1 medium-size firm eggplant, a little over a pound or so in weight
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 pound ground pork
1 teaspoon fennel pollen or seed, 1/3 palmful
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
1 small onion, grated or very finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
1/2 chili pepper – Italian red cherry or Fresno, finely chopped
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 pound short-cut pasta, whatever shape you like
Pecorino Romano cheese

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Place chicken stock and saffron threads in a small pot. Bring to a simmer to infuse and concentrate flavor.

Meanwhile, peel half the skin off the eggplant. Dice very finely into 1/8-inch pieces. Sprinkle with salt and reserve.

Place a large pot of water over high heat for the pasta.

Heat EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Add pork and lightly brown while finely crumbling it into tiny bits. Season with fennel, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, thyme and a little chili pepper.

Squeeze any liquid from the eggplant then stir it into the pork. Cook about 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently until eggplant is tender. Deglaze with white wine, stir a minute then add reduced saffon-infused stock – about 1 cup. Stir in cream and simmer over low heat while pasta cooks.

Cook pasta to al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup starchy cooking liquid, then drain and toss the pasta with the sauce, adding liquid as necessary to combine. Toss 1-2 minutes.

Serve in shallow bowls topped with freshly grated Pecorino and a bit more thyme for garnish.