This Anchovy Pasta is my go-to meal when I’m running low on fresh produce. Canned anchovies could be a bit stinky on its own, but when cooked, they dissolve into the sauce acting as a condiment.
Munchkin loves the savory fish flavor. The notion that young children prefer blander taste certainly does not apply to my daughter. I learned this when I caught hubby letting our then 9-month-old licking chili spice off of spiced nuts. At first sight, I was taken aback but then realized how much Munchkin was relishing the flavor smacking her lips in full concentration. From that day on, I started introducing more adult(?) flavors such as cumin, paprika, soy, fish, and herbs.
I usually have canned anchovies, onions, and dried pasta in my kitchen, so all I need are cherry tomatoes to make this pasta. Parsley and Parmesan cheese add a nice touch, but they aren’t entirely necessary.
To make Anchovy Pasta:
(About 2 servings for adult and 1 serving for toddler)
2 oz canned anchovies, a pint of cherry tomatoes, 1 red onion, pasta for 2.5 serving
a. Chop the onion. We’re going to puree everything so no need to finely chop. Boil water in a large pot to cook the pasta.
b. Heat a pan and coat with olive oil. Place the chopped onions in the pan and cook until tender. Mix in the cherry tomatoes and cook until you can easily smash the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
c. Place the anchovies in the pan (without the oil from the can) and break them up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Mix everything together and cook for additional couple minutes. Start cooking pasta.
d. Remove the sauce from heat and puree with an immersion blender. If the pasta were only for adults, the sauce is ready now. For Munchkin, I pass the sauce through a mesh to remove anchovy bones from the sauce. If the pasta is ready before the sauce, give the pasta a cold bath to stop cooking.
e. Mix the sauce with cooked pasta in a heated pan with more olive oil. Top with chopped parsley and grated parmesan, if desired.
And it’s time to watch Munchkin eating the pasta with gusto leaving a spectacular mess.
