Page 15 of Kept 3
He smiles and walks to the door.
“I have a surprise for you when you are finished bathing,” he says, turning and cocking his head to one side, “will you join me for dinner?”
“You can shove dinner where the sun doesn’t shine,” I spit, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Let’s say nine,” he says, smirking, not even rising to the bait, “that gives you almost three hours to become presentable, and amiable,” he adds as an afterthought, “I’ll send for the nurse to attend to your feet.”
I growl and, grabbing the nearest thing, hurl a small bottle of liquid soap at his head, just as he ducks through the door, and it smashes against the doorframe, sending slippery liquid all over the wallpaper and floor.
“I’ll give you amiable,” I bubble, slipping back under the water.
SPAGHETTINI AL SUGO CRUDO AND PASTA RECIPE
Pasta Ingredients:400g Italian wheat flour, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon water, 4 large eggs (50g each).
Method:
Mix all ingredients until they resemble breadcrumbs
Knead, cover and allow to stand in room temperature for 30 minutes
Divide the dough into sections and roll with a rolling pin, fold in half and roll again. In all six laminations will be required.
When pasta is at desired thickness, cut into strips or required shapes.
Hang ribbons for 20 minutes over lightly floured surface to allow to dry before use.
Note:The pasta dough is meant to be stiff. Make sure to only use Italian double zero flour (00). It is fine flour made from Durum wheat and is perfect for pasta.
Note: A pasta making machine makes this a much quicker process. Roll through machine and fold, rather than hand-rolling.
Ricardo’s Sauce Ingredients:1kg tomatoes (Roma), 1 clove garlic, 125ml olive oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
Method:
Blanch and peel tomatoes
Crush garlic but leave intact
Chop tomatoes finely and place with all other ingredients into a bowl.
Stir vigorously with a fork or whisk to minimise lumps.
Leave to marinate for several hours, overnight if possible.
Remove garlic
Warm in pan and pour over hot pasta.
Note: Ricardo serves this with basil and grated parmesan cheese, but I prefer mozzarella.
6
I stand in his study and frown, hands on hips.
I had not attended dinner with him last night. After my failed escape attempt, because by the time I got out of the bath and into bed I was so exhausted I’d laid down and slept like the dead. Or at least, I imagine that is how they sleep. I’ve never asked.
Now, smirking at me, as though he has some lovely secret that he refuses to share, he sits on the edge of his desk and watches me.
