Paasto Forno (Somali Pasta al Forno) is a traditional Somali recipe for a classic baked dish of pasta in a spiced tomato sauce with meat. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Somali version of: Somali Pasta al Forno (Paasto Forno).
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This is a dish left over from when the Italians briefly ruled the Horn of Africa. They introduced pasta and it's remained a Somali staple ever since.
Ingredients:
400g pasta (spaghetti or penne)
200g lamb or goat, finely diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander seeds
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
15g fresh coriander, chopped
500ml water or stock (chicken or beef)
Lemon wedges (optional)
Method:
Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain, toss with a little oil and set aside.
In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the meat and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same pan, add the chopped onion and garlic. Fry until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, black pepper, cardamom, and salt. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and break down into the sauce.
Return the cooked meat to the pan. Pour in the water or broth, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stirring to coat it evenly. Let it cook for 2-3 more minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavours.
Turn into a baking dish then set in an oven pre-heated to 180C and bake for about 20 minutes, until the dish is piping hot and the top is crispy.
Garnish with freshly-chopped coriander and serve with lemon wedges to accompany.
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