SLOW-ROASTED BALSAMIC TOMATOES WITH SPELT PASTA, PORCINI AND RICOTTA
Serves 4·Added 5 May 2026 by Tom Melhuish
MainVegetarianAutumnSummer
Ingredients
| 10 | roma tomatoes (1.4 kg)(each cut into 8 wedges) | |
| 2 | tbsp | balsamic vinegar |
| 4 | tbsp | extra virgin olive oil |
| 4 | sprigs | thyme |
| 2 | cloves | garlic(grated) |
| Sea salt and black pepper | ||
| 500 | g | spelt pasta(or your favourite pasta shape) |
| 10 | g | butter |
| 30 | g | dried porcini mushrooms(or other dried mushrooms, soaked in hot water) |
| 250 | g | ricotta |
| 1/2 | cup | basil leaves(torn) |
| 1/4 | cup | oregano leaves |
| 2 | tbsp | caramelised balsamic vinegar(see page 119 for recipe) |
Method
1.Preheat the oven to 140°C.
2.In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, thyme, 1 clove of grated garlic and season well with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 1-1.5 hours until the tomatoes are shrunken and juicy.
3.In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spelt pasta (or whatever pasta you are using) according to packet instructions.
4.In a small frying pan, melt the butter, add the remaining grated garlic and cook for 10 seconds until fragrant. Remove the mushrooms from the water and add to the pan, along with a couple teaspoons of their soaking liquid (making sure not to include any of the grit) and a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until the water has evaporated.
5.Combine the tomatoes, pasta and mushrooms and season well with salt and black pepper. Break the ricotta into chunks and gently fold through the pasta. To serve, scatter over the basil and oregano leaves and finish with a drizzle of caramelised balsamic vinegar and the remaining olive oil.
Recipe Notes
AI · may be inaccurate
Origin
One of the most satisfying kitchen moments is the 'accidental dish' - the unplanned meal thrown together with scarce larder ingredients.
Substitutions
- spelt pasta → any favourite pasta shape (recipe suggestion)
- dried porcini mushrooms → other dried mushrooms (recipe suggestion)
Tips
The little drizzle of caramelised balsamic at the time of serving really brings the whole dish together.
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