Fusilli alla Norma di Bellini

Fusili with Eggplant-Tomato Sauce

Fusilli alla Norma di Bellini, or Fusilli with Eggplant and Mozzarella Cheese is another delicious way to practice your homemade tomato sauce skills.  Think of this dish as a pasta version of eggplant parmesan—tender cubes of flavorful eggplant, a hearty homemade tomato sauce with a touch of sweetness, chopped fresh basil, and creamy, dreamy fresh mozzarella cheese.  Any variety of pasta will do, but my favorite to serve with this dish is fusilli, or corkscrew pasta.  (And boy was it eye-opening to make fusilli by hand in cooking class! What a fun experience!)

Fussili 1 Fusilli 2

 

  (To view this recipe, click on the blue blog post title above*)

Fusilli alla Norma di Bellini

  • Prep time:
  • Cook time:
  • Total time:
  • Difficulty: medium

Ingredients:

  • * Recipe Courtesy of Mami Camilla Cooking School*
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 eggplant, peeled; cubed
  • Salt
  • 500 grams fusilli pasta
  • 1 liter tomato sauce (*recipe follows)
  • 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 200 grams mozzarella cheese, chopped
  • In a saucepan, heat oil over high heat 1 minute or until hot. Add eggplant and salt; sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Remove eggplant from pan; drain on paper towels; set aside.
  • Meanwhile cook the pasta in boiling salted water about 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Add cooked pasta and cooked eggplant to the tomato sauce; stir well. Add Parmesan cheese and basil. Heat over high heat, stirring continuously until pasta is well coated, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat; add mozzarella cheese; toss until heat begins to melt cheese. Transfer to bowl and serve.
  • TOMATO SAUCE
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1200 grams canned Italian peeled tomatoes, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • In a saucepan, heat oil over high heat 1 minute or until hot. Add garlic and onion; sauté 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, salt and sugar; stir well. Cook over medium heat 25 minutes.

Directions:

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Comments: 4

  1. E Scott July 2, 2013 at 11:45 am Reply

    Every time I ‘catch up’ with you..and now Scott also.. I absolutely LOVE YOUR COMMENTS, PICTURES and WONDERFUL FOOD INFO AND RECIPES!! I, too, got a little teary eyed reading your beautifully written farewell to Sorrento and Ristorante Tasso!!! Having visited with you there…a very special time in my life…made it even more poignant !!!! I can’t even imagine how VERY HAPPY you must be to FINALLY have Scott there with you to enjoy BEAUTIFUL ITALY!!! Please give Scott my love!!! Just know…I AM KEEPING MY EYES ON BOTH OF YOU AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR TRIP!!!! Love you both BUNCHES!!! Safe travels!!!! XOXO 🙂

    • Personalchef07 July 3, 2013 at 3:56 pm Reply

      Grazie Mama! Ti amo. We are really enjoying our trip so far–in Orvieto tonight; Mary Lauren’s favorite town. Which now I see why! Tranquil, picturesque, and full of truffles, cheeses, wine, and great meats/game. Love you very much, and looking forward to visiting with you in Baton Rouge in September.

      Love you BUNCHES!
      Anna

  2. Leanne Oneschuk July 2, 2013 at 5:38 pm Reply

    Yum – this looks delicious!

    • Personalchef07 July 3, 2013 at 3:54 pm Reply

      It was a delight Leanne! Sort of like eggplant parmesan…but with pasta! It would work well with penne or fettuccine as well.

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