Dinner or Disaster

This is the first installment of my Dinner or Disaster. In case you have forgotten my recipe was chosen for anyone who was interested to try this month. My Dinner or Disaster Recipe was Rigatoni with Spicy Sausage-Tomato Sauce, Arugula and Parmesan. I had found this recipe in the magazine Bon Appetit where it had great online reviews on their website.


Here is the ingredient list.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 pounds fresh hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with added puree
8 ounces rigatoni
2 cups (packed) fresh arugula, stemmed
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese






First I cut the recipe in half which shouldn't make any difference in the final product. Dave isn't a fan of really spicy food so I used mild Italian sausage. The only other change I made was I used endive instead of arugula for the simple reason I couldn't find arugula in the two grocery stores that I shop at. Other than that I followed the recipe as written.

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add sausage; cook until browned, breaking up with back of spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain drippings from pot. Add wine, diced tomatoes with juice, and crushed tomatoes; increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cool, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain.

Stir pasta, arugula, basil, and oregano into tomato sauce. Simmer until arugula wilts, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Here is my sauce simmering away.





The finished product.





I know my not much sister said she like it but D and I just weren't that crazy about it. It was disappointing after reading the glowing reviews. It wasn't a disaster but it won't be showing up for dinner again either. I am looking forward to the next Dinner or Disaster and seeing if I don't have a better result.