Peruvian-Style Pasta Bolognese

By GadgetGirl

Inspired by tallarín saltado, a classic Peruvian comfort food, this dish combines garlicky soy-flavored noodles with a rich meat sauce. Ricardo Zarate usually prepares the sauce with diced beef tenderloin but the ground beef here makes it quicker for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 7 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon ají amarillo paste (see Note)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 pound dried tagliatelle
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 3/4 pound ground beef sirloin (90 percent lean)
• 1 medium red onion, finely diced
• 2 plum tomatoes—halved, seeded and finely diced
• 1 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus shavings for garnish
• 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
• Kosher salt

Preparation

Step 1

In a blender or mini processor, combine the ginger, garlic, vinegar, ají amarillo paste, black pepper and 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and puree until smooth. Reserve the ginger-garlic sauce.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain well.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the ground beef and cook over high heat, stirring to break up the meat, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a bowl.
Add the onion to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the meat and tomatoes and cook over high heat for 1 minute, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the chicken stock and the ginger-garlic sauce and bring to a boil.
Add the pasta and grated Parmesan to the sauce and toss to coat. Fold in the cilantro and season with salt. Transfer to a bowl, garnish with Parmesan shavings and serve.
NOTES Ají amarillo paste is a spicy Peruvian yellow chile paste. It's available in many supermarkets and from amazon.com.