Rigatoni Orlando and Dawn

Sometimes the best meals come together in the simplest of ways – and in this case have only three components. Born out of my love for all things Italian: fresh sausage, canned chopped tomatoes and tubular pasta (in this case rigatoni). Now, the key is to use only the finest of these three, so of course the lead item is the sausage. And, where else can one fine the freshest homemade Italian sausage but at my favorite Traverse City stop – Folgarelli’s. Regular readers know of my love affair with this place and all of their products, and the sweet Italian sausage is a hit every time. Cooked and them mixed with the chopped tomatoes (adding just a hint of kosher salt) and a good brand of dried pasta like Barilla or De Cecco and you have a dinner time hit on your hands.

Tony Orlando and Dawn (ie, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson), are as much a part of the 70s as bell-bottoms and disco balls. With hits like Candida, Knock Three Times and Time a Yellow Ribbon, and He Don’t Love You (Like I love You), they are forever embedded  in our pop culture musical score. Not only could they sing, but they could dance and act as well - just take a look at their 1974 Variety Hour a la Sonny and Cher. That was a show to end all shows! Not to mention an appearance or two on The Love Boat, and Telma Hopkins tour de force on Bossom Buddies. You don’t have to knock three times or tie a yellow ribbon to be reminded of such greatness - It's no wonder they weren't just a one hit wonder.

The Recipe:

1 pound fresh sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 pound Rigatoni
1 28 ounce can chopped and seeded tomatoes
kosher salt (to taste)

In dutch oven or (knock) 3 (times) quart heavy saucepan cook sausage until no longer pink. Add tomatoes and salt, heat to a boil and them simmer for at least 20 minutes (or once on the pipe if the answer is no). Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain. Mix pasta and sauce. Serves 3 very hungry people.