This summer I checked one off the bucket list: Taking a cooking class in Rome, Italy! Making (and eating) this pasta puttanesca was definitely one of the highlights of my trip, and while I wish all of you could be transported to the land of wine and olives to take the class with me, I’m thrilled to share the recipe with you here. Mangia!
Ingredients
1 pound pasta of your choice, cooked al dente
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup fresh basil, leaves and stems separated
(both will be used)2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 cup tomato purée
1/2 tablespoon Italian red chili peppers
2 anchovy filets, minced
2 tablespoons black olives, pitted
1 tablespoon capers
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions
- Smash the garlic clove with the skin on.
- Chop the basil stems and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic, basil stems, chili peppers and anchovies and cook about 2 minutes.
- Add olives and capers. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, and cook another 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat and simmer until sauce becomes thick and slightly reduced (about 10-15 minutes). Remove garlic.
- Pour the pasta in the sauce and add a little bit of the cooking water (about 1/4 cup).
- Plate with fresh basil leaves on top and season with olive oil.
TIME: 45 MINUTES. SERVES 4-6.