Anchovy Paste Recipes

PASTA WITH 15-MINUTE GARLIC, OIL, AND ANCHOVY SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook spaghettini in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain, reserving 3 Tbsp. pasta cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, cook anchovies, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1 cup oil, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until anchovies dissolve and garlic is tender, 6-7 minutes (do not brown). Stir in parsley, then remove from heat.
• While anchovy sauce is cooking, heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in a small skillet over medium. Add panko and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to paper towels to cool.
• Return pasta to pot. Stir in reserved pasta cooking liquid, then anchovy sauce and half of the panko mixture. Cook over medium, stirring constantly, until heated through, 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with Parmesan and remaining panko mixture.

MIDNIGHT PASTA WITH GARLIC, ANCHOVY, CAPERS AND RED PEPPER

Steps:

• Put the spaghetti in a large pot of well-salted rapidly boiling water and cook only until firmly al dente. (Depending on the brand of pasta, this will be 8 to 10 minutes, but check frequently to see. )
• While the pasta is cooking, warm the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, without letting it brown. Stir in the anchovies, capers and red pepper and cook for a half-minute more, then turn off the heat.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Pour in the garlic mixture, add the parsley, if using, and toss well to coat. Serve with grated Parmesan if desired.

ANCHOVY PASTE

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle, pound the anchovies and butter until they resemble a smooth paste. You could also use a food processor.
• Stir in the breadcrumbs, spices and pepper and spoon the paste into a large ramekin. Cover and chill before serving.

ANCHOVY PâTé

Steps:

• Making the pâté with a pestle and mortar: Work the anchovies, capers, vegetables and herbs together in a paste; add the oil and, finally, the vinegar. You should end up with a thick paste.
• Making the pâté in a food processor: Start by adding the anchovies to the bowl, process; them stream in the oil; add the other ingredients and process to finish up with a thick paste.

MIDNIGHT PASTA WITH ANCHOVIES, GARLIC AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook, according to package directions, until about 2 minutes shy of al dente so the pasta can finish cooking in the sauce. It should still have a slight crunch in the center. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, combine the oil, garlic, anchovies (if using), red-pepper flakes and pinch of salt over low heat. Cook until garlic is opaque and a few of the slices are pale gold at the edges (don't let the garlic turn brown), 2 to 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook until it darkens, about 1 minute longer.
• Add the drained pasta, lemon zest and 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water to skillet. Stir until the pasta is al dente and well coated with sauce. Add more pasta water, if needed, until the sauce is glossy and the pasta cooked to taste.
• Cut the zested lemon half in half (so you'll have a quarter of a lemon) and squeeze some juice into pasta. Stir in herbs and taste, adding more lemon juice and salt, if needed. Cut remaining lemon into wedges and serve it alongside the pasta, which should be garnished with more herbs and red-pepper flakes, a drizzle of oil and a generous sprinkle of cheese, if you like.