ANCHOVIES..
ANSWER: No!!
There is such a ‘Marmite’ attitude to Anchovies… I think that they get a bad reputation, from those that are not in the know! They are an essential ingredient for flavouring in many dishes, where they hide away and become part of the umami of background flavourings; those that would normally ‘wrinkle their nose’ at the very idea of eating a Anchovy have no idea as they relish their supper that the simple ‘sex of the sea’ Anchovy is what makes the flavour so delicious and unique. In my humble opinion Anchovies stand out in their own right, I will with my daughter happily eat our way through a tray of Anchovies, scooping each fishy morsel out of the tray with a cocktail stick, whilst sipping drinks & cooking Sunday Lunch..
Here is a recipe using Anchovies as the main flavour which will remind you of holidays, [at the moment we need to remember holidays!] It has a surprisingly meaty flavour… Give it a go!
ANCHOVIES WITH ROCKET & CHILLI SERVED WITH SPAGHETTI …
INGREDIENTS - Serves 2 - [double up for more at the table..]
3 tbsp of extra virgin oil, plus more to taste at the end of cooking
8 - 12 Anchovies fillets - depending on your tastes, I like more…
3 fat cloves of garlic or if you don’t have them to hand use granules
1 tbsp of tomato puree … Or to taste…
130 ml spaghetti water [the water from the cooked spaghetti]
Rocket - A big handful
1/4 - 1/2 dried chilli flakes
200g Spaghetti
Serving Suggestions …
Spring onions
fresh chilli
Parmesan or Pecorino or Mature Cheddar will do …
The Method …
Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions, remember to keep some of the cooking water, this really makes a difference to the sauce.
Add the oil to a pan along with the anchovies & cook slowly as the anchovies break down into the oil. Add some of the spaghetti water & continue to cook, add some salt & pepper to taste.
Once the anchovies have melted into the sauce add the garlic, [be careful, as I always tell you - Garlic can burn - & ruin your food.] Add the chilli flakes & tomato paste - to taste & continue cooking, add more spaghetti water if required, don’t over water it!
As the mixture amalgamates thickens & becomes shinny, throw in the rocket and let it wilt.
ENGLISH SPAGHETTI SERVING: Using tongs put spaghetti on a warmed plate & cover with the sauce, grating generous amounts of cheese over the top & serve …
EUROPEAN SPAGHETTI SERVING: Using tongs put the spaghetti into the sauce & mix carefully, shave copious amounts of cheese over the pasta then taking the pan to the table to serve. Enjoy …
Further serving suggestions
Top with crisp bacon
Top with warmed smoked salmon
Poached egg
I hope that you try this recipe you will not regret it & it will become a family favourite as it is in our house ….
