- 6
Ingredients
- 2 T extra-virgin olive oil plus more for baking dish
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 ounces pancetta, cut in 1/4" dice (about 1 cup)
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves, preferably fresh
- 2 1/2 t kosher salt
- 1/4 t peperoncino flakes, or to taste
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) Fregola pasta
- 1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino (or half pecorino and half Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano
- Recommended equipemnt: A heavy-bottomed skillet or saute pan, 12" diameter or larger with a cover; a pot for cooking the pfregola; a 3 quart baking dis, 9 x 13 inches, or shallow casserole of similar
Preparation
Step 1
Pour the olive oil into the skillet, and set it over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 2-3 minutes. Scatter the diced pancetta in the pan, and let it cook and render its fat, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown, 3 or 4 minutes.
Drop in the cherry tomatoes and bay leaves, season with 1/2 t salt and perperoncino, and pour in 1/2 cup water. Cover the skillet, bring the water to a simmer, then set the cover slightly ajar and cook just until the water evaporates and the tomatoes pop open and release their juices, about 10 minutes. (If the pan dries before the tomatoes pop, add another 1/4 cup water.) Turn off the heat; remove and discard the bay leaves.
Meanwhile, heat 4 quarts of water with 2 t salt to a rolling boil int he pasta pot. Stir in the fregola, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Empty the pot into a colander or large strainer to catch the fregola. Spill them into the skillet, and stir the pasta, tomatoes, and pancetta together until thoroughly blended.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees, and brush the bottom and sides of the baking dish with olive oil. Pour all the sauced fregola into the dish and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top, and set the dish in the oven. Bake, uncovered, 20 - 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crisp on the edges.
Serve piping hot. Spoon the fregola into warm bowls as an appetizer, or to serve family-stle, put the baking dish on the table. We had it as a main course with a Caesar Salad.