Godfather Pasta

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 (1 pound. 12 ounce) cans imported Italian plum tomatoes
1 whole bunch fresh basil
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 pounds spaghetti, linguini or buccatini

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy saucepan. Sauté the onions in it for 5 to 10 minutes or until transparent and just starting to brown. Using a sharp knife, cut the tomatoes coarsely inside their cans. Drain off the juice and reserve.

Add the tomatoes to the saucepan, along with a dozen basil leaves, very coarsely chopped (chiffonade). Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste. Let the sauce come to a boil, then lower heat, simmer for 45 minutes. It should have a medium-thick consistency; keep adding back some of the reserved tomato liquid to maintain the correct consistency.

While the sauce is cooking, boil the pasta in a large amount of salted water.

When ready to serve, add another dozen (or more) very coarsely chopped basil leaves to the sauce, and whisk in the butter. Drain the cooked pasta in a colander, draining all water from the pasta cooking pot, then return the pasta to the pot. Add about 2/3 of the sauce to it, or just enough to lightly coat the pasta with sauce. Stir well for one minute over medium heat. Divide pasta among eight bowls, placing a few small basil leaves on each pasta bowl. Top each with a few tablespoons of sauce. Serve immediately. Pass freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.

Yield: 8 servings