MAR_APR_2014_FINAL_3-15-16

RECIPE, try me!

Pasta Milanese with Bread Crumb Sawdust by Gaetana “Tina” Giammancherrie’s WHAT YOU WILL NEED ¼ cup Rouse extra virgin olive oil 2 medium white or yellow onions, diced 1 bulb fennel, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 4 anchovy fillets 28 ounce can of San Marzano tomatoes 2 (14½) ounce cans diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ cup tomato paste 1 teaspoon fennel seed toasted, ground 4 large fresh basil leaves, torn 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon Rouse Creole spices ½ teaspoon oregano  1 pound spaghetti, cooked HOW TO PREP In a large saucepan, heat olive oil, add onions and fennel, cook until browned and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, then stir in the anchovies. Cook for two minutes. Using a fork, lightly crush San Marzano tomatoes, then add them and diced tomatoes to saucepan. Add the sugar, tomato paste and spices. Simmer sauce for one hour, stirring occasionally. In a large pot, cook the spaghetti. When it is done, remove one cup of water and drain.  Add half of the sauce to the spaghetti and mix. If the sauce is thicker than you like, add the reserved pasta water until you get the desired consistency. Pour spaghetti into a large serving dish or individual bowls, ladle additional sauce on top.  Sprinkle with St. Joseph’s Day sawdust just before serving.  As a kid, I went to St. Joseph Elementary, a Catholic K-7 in Thibodaux. One of my most vivid memories of early years was walking to a neighborhood house that displayed a St. Joseph’s Altar for St. Joseph’s Day in March. I remember candles, flowers, beans, and SO much food. It was a special treat for me, and for my family and our team as well, to honor this tradition by hosting our own altars in four stores last year. I was so excited to hear all the positive feedback from our customers and neighbors, and from local church groups. I reached out to some of our area priests, and to my surprise no less than Archbishop Aymond came out to bless one of our altars! It was such a nice blessing and I was very happy to meet such an inspiring man who does such great work for our community. —Ali Rouse Royster

Because Saint Joseph’s Day always occurs during Lent, only meatless dishes are prepared. Much of the food includes “sawdust”, or bread crumbs, to honor Saint Joseph, the carpenter. The “lucky beans” are also a mainstay on the Saint Joseph’s Altar.

Ali with Archbishop Aymond at the Rouses St. Joseph Altar. photo by Frank Aymami

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