Bacon Puttanesca
Pasta alla puttanesca is prepared in just a few minutes, and that’s one of the secrets of its success. This version with bacon is no different - a recipe to keep up your sleeve on those nights when cooking dinner seems all too hard. Using mainly pantry staples and the added addition of tumami paste this dish will be done in the time it takes to boil your spaghetti.
Serves 2
Effort: Easy
Prep: 5 mins
Cook 20 mins
Gluten Free Option
Ingredients
2-3 rashers of bacon, diced
1 onion, finely diced
2 heaped tsp black garlic paste - Tumami
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
1 cup pasta water
250g spaghetti
4 heaped tbsp black olives, left whole or roughly chopped
1-2 heaped tbsp capers (depending on your taste - I used 2)
5 anchovies in oil, drained and roughly chopped
Finely grated Parmesan - for serving
Fresh parsley - for serving
Instructions
In a large heavy based frying pan heat 2 tbsp of olive oil and fry your onion & bacon pieces until they start to colour.
In another pan, fill with cold water, add 2 tbsp salt and bring to a boil. Add your spaghetti and follow cooking instructions for al dente texture.
Back in the frying pan add tumami paste, olives, capers and anchovies (if using) and stir through for a minute.
Add pasta water 1/4 cup at a time to create your sauce. Once you have your preferred consistency bring to a simmer to thicken.
Drain the pasta al dente, add it to the sauce, stir and serve with fresh chopped parsley. Place into bowls and top with parmesan & fresh parsley.
Serve with some porcini garlic bread if you feel like it.
Hints & tips
Make it Gluten Free: Use GF pasta of choice or zoodles.
Anchovies: You can omit the anchovies if you are not a fan of the flavour. Although if you have a random jar in your fridge try these salty little flavour boosters.
Parmesan: My favourite parmesan to top this easy dinner is the pantry staple parmesan shaker. Adds a little texture and flavour to the finished dish.
Portion size: Double this recipe - Double all ingredients apart from tumami paste, add 1 minced garlic clove & 1 tsp of tomato paste instead. You could also add fresh tomato if you prefer.
Storage: Not a freeze able dish but will keep in an air tight container for 3 days in the fridge. Great for lunch boxes!
