Recipe: Sicilian Pasta with Meat Sauce (with cinnamon, raisins, and pine nuts)

SICILIAN PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onions
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes
1/3 cup seedless raisins
1 pound pasta, cooked
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until translucent, 5 minutes.

Stir in garlic, cumin and cinnamon and cook 30 seconds.

Add beef, salt and pepper; cook crumbling beef with spoon, until browned, 5 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste, tomatoes with their liquid and raisins. Bring to boil, breaking up tomatoes with spoon. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

Toss sauce with pasta and parsley. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Servings: 4
Source: Ladies' Home Journal; February, 1995