Christmas Eve Sicilian Anchovy Pasta Recipes

PASTA WITH BREAD CRUMBS AND ANCHOVIES, SICILIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Place olive oil and garlic in a heavy skillet and gently cook the garlic over medium heat until golden. Discard garlic. Add the red-pepper flakes and anchovies and mash to a puree with the back of a wooden spoon over very low heat, about one minute. Remove from heat. Do not allow oil to get very hot. Can be prepared in advance to this point.
• Cook the spaghettini in boiling, salted water until cooked al dente. While the pasta is cooking, transfer three tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to the anchovy-oil mixture in order to stretch the sauce; reheat carefully. Drain pasta, then transfer it to the skillet and toss with the hot sauce. Divide evenly on four heated dishes, sprinkle with parsley and serve at once. Pass the bread crumbs.

CHRISTMAS EVE SICILIAN ANCHOVY PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and then add the reserved anchovy oil.
• Add the anchovies and stir vigorously to break down the anchovies, about 4 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook another minute or two until fragrant.
• Dump the tomatoes and tomato puree into the pot, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat, and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the pine nuts, raisins, parsley, and olives and cook for another 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
• Season generously with black pepper, the red chili flakes, and a pinch of salt if needed.
• While the sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Cook the pasta until it is just "al dente".
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
• Add 1/3 of the sauce to the pot with the cooked pasta and toss to coat.
• Serve the pasta either in a large, shallow serving bowl, or individual bowls with additional sauce on top.

CHRISTMAS EVE SPAGHETTI WITH ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil for the spaghetti. Cook till al dente.
• Meantime, heat a heavy skillet (cast iron)and saute the bread crumbs till golden brown. Remove and set aside.
• Heat oils till very warm. Add the anchovies to the warm oil. Turn up the heat and simmer till the anchovies disintegrate.
• Drain the spaghetti but leave very wet.
• Pour the oil/anchovy mixture over and toss.
• Sprinkle with the browned bread crumbs.
• My kids used to call this "dirty worms".