Friday, September 30, 2011

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

I saw Jamie Oliver make this on TV yesterday, and it looked good. Little did I know, the literal translation is "Whore's Style Spaghetti." It's a Southern Italian hodgepodge of strong flavors that somehow meld into richness.

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 handful capers
  • 2 handfuls big black olives, pitted
  • 2 anchovy fillets
  • chili flakes
  • 1 can tuna in oil
  • 1 bunch parsley
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cans tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • lemon juice
  • salt and pepper
Directions:
Cook the spaghetti in salted, boiling water until aldente. Meanwhile fry the garlic, capers, olives, anchovies, chili flakes, and parsley stems in the tuna can's oil for a few minutes. Add tuna and heat for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes, bring to a simmer, and continue to cook for 4 or 5 minutes, until you have a lovely tomato sauce consistency. Add the spaghetti, toss it over and cover with the sauce. If it's too dry, use some of the starchy pasta water to moisten it up. Add parsley leaves, correct the seasoning, and drizzle with good extra-virgin olive oil.