Pasta with Dark Chocolate Marinara Sauce

Efrain here and I am ready to be bold, brave and a bit adventurous. That's right you read it correctly- Chocolate and Pasta! I know what you must be thinking: "I don't think I'm going to like this..." Let me assure you that this dish in not only delicious, but it is also one that packs a perfect combination of sweet, savory and flavorful.
I stumbled across the idea of having chocolate for dinner earlier this week after I discovered a salad with chocolate vinaigrette recipe. After reading that such a thing existed I ventured through the great plains of the internet and came across this creation by Ali on Gimme Some Oven.

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: ~3 Servings

Ingredients

Pasta, as many serving as you wish (I make 2oz of angel hair per person)

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 (14.5oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 ounce dark chocolate

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to how you like it (I prefer well cooked & soft)

2. While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining ingredients, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Stir every couple of minutes to ensure the chocolate chips melt and are evenly distributed

4. When the pasta is cooked, drain the water. Then serve the pasta with the sauce ladled on top, or stir together the pasta and sauce

Personal Notes

-Definitely use crushed tomatoes over diced tomatoes

-Consider garnishing with diced, fresh tomatoes and/or chopped mint

-If not using a garnish consider doubling red pepper flakes to add more kick

*Adapted from a recipe by Ali on Gimme Some Oven

Posted on: 2/26/14