SHOM Cooking Class - Online - Pasta alla Norma

To join this Zoom Class, please enter with the link and password below 

ZOOM Class Link

Meeting ID:                        81738810858‬

Password:                         475508 

INGREDIENTS      (serves 6 as a starter or 4 as a main course) 

• 400 gr rigatoni pasta (penne also works well) 
• 1-2 black aubergines (around 600 gr)  
• 1 bunch of fresh basil  
• 1 kg fresh tomatoes (roma or san marzano style are better if available)  
• 1 large red onion (around 250 gr)  
• Extra-virgin olive oil  
• Oil for deep frying  
• Salt to taste  
• Sugar to taste  
• Ricotta salata for grating (if you can’t find salted ricotta, some mild pecorino like pecorino Romano or Parmesan is ok) 

TOOLS:

1 medium sized pot with lid (for cooking the sauce)

1 large, heavy bottomed pan (for frying the aubergine, or a deep fryer if you have it)

1 large pan (for finishing the dish - mixing the pasta and sauce all together)

chopping board

chef knife (sharp), small serrated knife

large colander and bowl (for draining the fried aubergine)

wooden spoon, slotted spoon

immersion blender or mixer (this is for blending the sauce which will be hot), 

Preparation before the class:  

Please have the pot of water already boiling. Tomatoes, aubergine and basil washed and dried. 

Michael is an İrish chef that moved to Sicily following the love of his life af- ter meeting her on a plane! He studied 

Italian cuisine at Alma, one of the best italian cu- linary schools, before working in various restau- rants, soaking up every bit of information before taking off around Europe to work as a private chef. 

As exciting as that may seem, Michael missed the simple food & traditions of the Sicilian country- side, so he returned to immerse himself as a cu- linary instructor at the Gambero Rosso cooking school & then as head-chef & teacher at the Anna Tasca Lanza cooking school on the Tasca vine- yard estate in the heart of the Sicilian countryside. 

Michael is currently the chef responsible at The Sicilian Pantry in Palermo, a small family run cooking school located in the heart of the Historical centre of Palermo. 

Instagram @thesicilianpantry 

Webpage www.thesicilianpantry.com