Recipe: Pasta with Caramelized Onion Sauce and Spicy Pepper Tapenade

Here's what's for dinner at our house tonight. I have a craving for onions!

Pasta with Caramelized Onion Sauce and Spicy Pepper Tapenade
From: Caprial

Serves 4

ONION SAUCE
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 onions, julienned
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup roasted vegetable stock
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

TAPENADE
1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and seeded
2 Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled, stemmed, and seeded
3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon capers
2 salt- or oil-packed anchovy fillets
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt

3/4 pound dried penne

3/4 cup finely grated Gouda cheese

To prepare the onion sauce, heat the olive oil in a very large saut pan over high heat until smoking hot. Add the onions and cook without stirring, for at least 2 minutes to caramelize.

Toss the onions and let sit, without stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. Toss again and continue to cook until the onions are browned and well caramelized, 6 to 8 minutes more. Add the sherry, red wind, and garlic and deglaze, scraping the bottom of the pan to gather all of the browned bits. Let the wine reduce by about half and add the garlic and vegetable stock. Reduce again by about half. Add the thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

To prepare the Tapenade, put the bell pepper, Anaheim chiles, garlic, capers, anchovies, and vinegar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Run the machine for about 30 seconds to coarsely chop. Add the olive oil and process again to mix. Transfer the Tapenade to a medium bowl, season with the salt, and set aside.

To prepare the pasta, bring 2 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large saucepan. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander. Return the sauce to the heat and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and toss well.

To serve, place the pasta on a serving platter or on individual pasta plates. Top with the Tapenade and grated Gouda cheese. Serve immediately.