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Spicy Tomato Sauce with Capers, Anchovies, and Olives

This is the sauce you need to make pasta alla puttanesca, a specialty of Naples.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup Simple Tomato Sauce (page 264)
3 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained, and chopped
1/4 cup pitted black olives, chopped
1/4 teaspoon (or more) dried chile flakes
1/4 cup chopped parsley
3 salt-packed anchovies, soaked, filleted, and chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Into a heavy saucepan over medium heat, pour: 1/3 cup olive oil.

    Step 2

    Add: 6 garlic cloves, chopped.

    Step 3

    When they start to sizzle add: 1 cup Simple Tomato Sauce (page 264), 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained, and chopped, 1/4 cup pitted black olives, chopped, 1/4 teaspoon (or more) dried chile flakes, 1/4 cup chopped parsley.

    Step 4

    Cook for 5 minutes and add: 3 salt-packed anchovies, soaked, filleted, and chopped.

    Step 5

    Cook for a minute or two. Taste for salt and adjust as needed.

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