Hearty Pork Neck Tomato Spaghetti with Garden Cherry Tomatoes
Rich Pork Neck Tomato Spaghetti Made with Blended Cherry Tomatoes from the Garden
My garden is bursting with cherry tomatoes! While leafy greens are wilting in the heat, the cherry tomatoes are bravely thriving and producing beautiful fruits. I decided to make tomato spaghetti using these resilient, plump cherry tomatoes. Adding pork, which kids love, makes the sauce rich and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 25 cherry tomatoes, blended into puree (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 1.5 cups tomato sauce
- 200g spaghetti noodles
- 300g pork neck, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp herb salt (or to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the finely chopped 1/2 onion and the white parts of 1/2 green onion (thinly sliced). Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and softened, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. This step builds a good flavor base for the sauce.
Step 2
Add the 300g of thinly sliced pork neck to the pan. Break up any clumps and cook until it’s browned and no longer pink. Season the pork with 1 tsp of herb salt while it’s cooking. This will enhance the savory flavor and help tenderize the meat.
Step 3
Wash the 25 cherry tomatoes thoroughly and remove their stems. Place them in a blender and blend until you have a smooth puree. You should have about 1.5 cups (300ml) of fresh tomato puree. Using fresh tomatoes adds a wonderful bright and fresh flavor to the sauce.
Step 4
Pour the blended cherry tomato puree into the pan with the pork and onions. Add the 1.5 cups of tomato sauce. Stir everything together well. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 5
Finely slice the green parts of the remaining 1/2 green onion and add them to the simmering sauce. This adds a touch of freshness and a subtle onion aroma to the finished dish.
Step 6
Meanwhile, cook 200g of spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Be sure to check the cooking time as it can vary between brands. Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it directly to the sauce in the pan. Toss everything together gently to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the spaghetti to absorb some of the sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade pork neck tomato spaghetti!
