Pasta alla Puttanesca (whore’s pasta) Sauce

This sauce is so fast & easy, so rubust & gutsy – you’ll feel like you’re committing a sin just eating it!

Use it as a side dish, take it low carb by pouring it over roasted veggies, add seafood…. or better yet…. a delicious steak for a hearty, colorful meal!

The recipe calls for anchovies, but do not be alarmed, if you like Ceaser’s Salad – you like anchovies!

The following recipe is for approximately 2 people.

If you’re using pasta, boil your pasta as usual. Use a tad over an inch in diameter of spagetti, 1 inch diameter capellini (or angle hair pasta), or 3 cups of farfalle (bow tie pasta).

For low carb – roast your favorite veggies in a 350 degree oven in a baking dish for around an hour or until tender. Drizzle with olive oil & add garlic, salt & pepper & throw in oven.

The Sauce

• 1/4 cup of quality olive oil, or if substituting canned tomatoes for fresh – then reduce the olive oil to 2 tablespoon.
• 1 oz. anchovy fillets, drained and finely chopped. If you use King Oscar’s in the tin, the fillets fall apart saving you the chopping step. Just use half the tin & throw the rest in the freezer. If you love anchovies just use the whole tin.
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced, crushed or grated – what the heck? If they are on the smaller side – use 3 cloves.
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes – so good! Or substitute 1 to 2 tablespoons jarred or canned jalapeno peppers (preferably red), drained, sliced, and diced, or to taste
• Salt – not too much
• Ground black pepper
• 1 or 2 fresh tomatoes chopped with the juice/seeds. Or you can use a can of diced canned tomatos instead of fresh, reduce your olive oil to 2 tablespoons.
• 6 to 8 (more if you love olives) drained pitted & chopped black olives. Use Greek or Kalimata for best flavor.
• 2 teaspoons dried basil, or 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped if you have it.
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish, optional
• Parmasean cheese grated – however much you like.

In a skillet, sauce pan, or wok pour in your oil, add minced garlic & saute for a few minutes. Keep your burner low.

Add your anchovies & continue to saute as you cut up your tomatoes, olives, etc.

Add your olives, tomatoes, basil, red pepper flakes, salt (watch it), & black pepper.

Simmer your sauce on a low heat until it begins to thicken.

When your pasta or veggies are done, pour into the sauce, toss, plate, grate parmasean cheese to taste & top with chopped fresh parsley if you have it.

Sit down with a hearty wine or a cold beer & savor every morsel!