Pasta with Anchovies, Cherry Tomatoes, and Fresh Basil

Mezze Maniche with Cherry Tomatoes and Anchovies
Category: Pasta Dishes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta
   Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add salt to taste.

2. Prepare the Sauce
   While the water heats up, begin making the sauce. Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly, then cut them in half and each half into quarters. Set them aside.

3. Cook the Garlic and Anchovies
   In a non-stick pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic clove and sauté until it turns golden brown, then remove it from the pan.

4. Melt the Anchovies
   Into the same pan, add the salted anchovies, making sure to remove the bones first. Stir the anchovies in the oil, allowing them to dissolve and infuse the oil with their salty flavor.

5. Add the Cherry Tomatoes
   Once the anchovies have melted into the oil, add the quartered cherry tomatoes to the pan. Toss the tomatoes in the oil and anchovy mixture, letting them cook on high heat for a few minutes until they begin to soften, but don’t let them break down completely.

6. Season the Sauce
   Add the fresh chili pepper (sliced into thin strips) and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Be cautious with the salt, as the anchovies already contribute a salty flavor to the dish.

7. Cook the Pasta
   In the meantime, cook the mezze maniche in the boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving a little of the cooking water.

8. Combine and Serve
   Add the cooked pasta directly to the pan with the tomato and anchovy sauce. Toss everything together, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it up. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

Enjoy your delicious Mezze Maniche with Cherry Tomatoes and Anchovies, a light yet flavorful pasta dish perfect for any occasion!