PAPPA AL POMODORO
Tuscan dish made with ripe tomatoes, stale bread, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil leaves.
THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA reference: “Pappa al pomodoro. Tomat’, garlic, basil, salt.” – Chapter 17
INGREDIENTS
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 2 medium garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with juice
- 6 ounces rustic bread day-old or fresh crust removed and torn into 1-inch pieces
- 2 sprigs fresh basil plus torn leaves for serving
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper or more to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oil: In a large sauté pan or medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high until it’s shimmering.
Add some garlic: Add garlic and cook until fragrant (no more than a minute, or it will brown).
Tomatoes: Add in the tomatoes and the juice (if using plum tomatoes, break up the tomatoes with clean hands, removing the hard ends before adding to the sauce).
Bring to a boil: Bring the tomatoes to a boil and use a wooden spoon to stir, if using plum tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes while they’re cooking.
Lower heat: Season with the salt and freshly ground pepper, and let the sauce cook and thicken for 20 minutes.
Add bread: Stir in the bread pieces and let simmer with the tomatoes until it’s soft and has a custard like texture. Check the consistency of sauce: If it’s getting too thick, add a little bit of vegetable broth or water (start with a ¼ cup).
Add fresh basil: Finally, stir in the fresh basil and stir to combine.
Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Source: https://www.savoringitaly.com/pappa-al-pomodoro/#recipe
Recipe featured in THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline
One awful night, Julia Pritzker witnesses the murder of her beloved husband during a mugging on a Philadelphia street. Later, while grieving him, she’s suddenly fearful that her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.
Her luck seems to change when stunning news arrives from Italy, informing her that she’s inherited a fortune, a Tuscan villa, and a vineyard. But she’s mystified by her Italian benefactor, a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. She flies to Tuscany for answers.
There, Julia learns that Rossi suffered from delusions of grandeur, believing herself to be a descendant of Caterina Sforza, a powerful Renaissance duchess. Julia doubts that is true, but she can’t deny the uncanny resemblance between her, Caterina, and Rossi. She starts to unearth eerie parallels between them—and disturbing secrets.
Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed and experiences disorienting delusions of her own. Even meeting a romantic Florentine doesn’t quiet her unease. Then events turn deadly, and Julia finds herself in a harrowing struggle for sanity and survival.