Pasta Puttanesca Perfecto

"I LOVE pasta puttanesca, and have made it a few different ways, sometimes even with tuna. However, this is my go-to recipe that is quite easy to put together. I have made this as a first-course for holiday dinners or for my weeknight cravings. I must say, though, that the fresh herbs are key!"
 
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photo by Lavender Lynn photo by Lavender Lynn
photo by Lavender Lynn
Ready In:
1hr
Ingredients:
15
Serves:
4
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ingredients

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directions

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil and add a generous palmful of sea salt or kosher salt to the pot. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  • While waiting for the water to boil, heat oil in a medium skillet. Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, and making sure it does not burn. Then add onion, salt, pepper, fresh herbs and stir, cooking, for about 5 minutes. Add the anchovies and their oil, raise the heat to medium-high, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring until anchovies are dissolved.
  • Add tomatoes with their juice, as well as bay leaf and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add olives and capers. Simmer another 5-10 minutes, then taste and adjust seasonings. Drain pasta and place in a large shallow bowl, then toss with the puttanesca sauce and serve.

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Reviews

  1. I can see why this it your go-to puttanesca recipe! It's easy to put together and tastes great. I really loved the slight anchovy taste (not so much a taste as it is a slightly salty flavor boost), capers and olives. Yummy combination. I quartered the recipe because I made this for my lunch. I still have enough for one more lunch! Thank you. Made for Culinary Quest Italy - International Agents of Quest.
     
  2. We enjoyed this as past of Italian feast. Loved the combination of flavors. It is amazing how the anchovies break apart and blend in. Made for Culinary Quest 2014.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I didn't start cooking until my early 20's, even though I come from a family of accomplished and admired home cooks. While I grew up watching my Italian grandmother in the kitchen, I remained uninterested in trying anything on my own. As a young lady, I was known for being particularly ignorant in the kitchen, with no idea how to even make a hot dog! All this changed, however, when I got engaged. I realized it was time to let my inherent talents out of the bag. At the time, the New York Times had a weekly column called The 60-Minute Gourmet by Pierre Franey. Each week, I would follow these recipes diligently, and taught myself to cook that way. From there, I began to read cookbooks and consult with relatives on family recipes. At my ripe old age now, I feel I know enough to put together a very pleasing meal and have become accomplished in my own right. Having an Irish father and an Italian mother, I'm glad I inherited the cooking gene (and the drinking one too!). One thing I have learned is that simpler is always better! I always believe cooking fills a need to nurture and show love. After being widowed fairly young and living alone with my dog and cats, I stopped cooking for awhile, since I really had no one to cook for. I made care packages for my grown son occasionally, and like to cook weekly for my boyfriend, so I feel like I am truly back in the saddle!!
 
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