Stomaching Tripe

Tripe is cow stomach -- # 2 of 4.  I've tried to like tripe, but no matter how it's prepared, I just can't seem to stomach it.

People are usually put-off by the bubble-gum-chew texture, but I think it's kind of playful. The taste, however, is another story.  The strong, persistent taste of grass & buttholes dominates every bite. It wouldn't be so bad if you could just gobble it up quick and be done, but that's not how it goes.  Each bite is a barnyard in your mouth and takes forever to finish because it's so damn chewy!  I suppose that's what you get for trying to eat the stomach of a 1200lb herbivore.

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Tripe Tagliatelle

2 # tripe

1 # fresh tagliatelle pasta

1 large red onion, large dice

1 pobalno pepper, large dice

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup tomato paste

2 cup basic tomato sauce

1 bunch mint leaves, finely chopped

salt & pepper; lemon juice to taste.

1. combine the tripe, vinegar, and vanilla in a large pot w/ enough water to cover the tripe by 2 inches. bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. cook until the tripe is very tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. be diligent about skimming any foam that rises to the top. also, make sure the water level is maintained throughout the cooking process (adding more water when necessary).  when finished, drain the tripe and cut into bite sized pieces.  reserve.
2. sauté the diced onion and pepper in a splash of olive oil over medium heat.  cook until limp, about 5-6 minutes.  add garlic and continue to cook for another minute.  add tomato paste and a splash of sauce. cook for an additional 5 minutes, then add the remainder of the sauce. 
3. add reserved tripe to the sauce. bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer.  simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.  
4. cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to the instructions -- probably around 4-7 minutes.  toss cooked pasta w/ tripe sauce, add the chopped mint and a squeeze of lemon.  embellish w/ some extra-virgin olive oil and try to enjoy.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable" - http://www.missioninsatiable.com