Alexs Anchovy Bucatini Food

BUCATINI WITH FRESH TUNA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the tuna with salt, add to the skillet and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the red onion, fennel and celery, season lightly with salt and cook, tossing, until the vegetables begin to soften and brown around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the capers, oregano and red pepper flakes; cook until sizzling, about 1 minute. Pour in the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and 1/2 cup of the boiling water. Cook, smashing the tomatoes with the back of a spoon, until they begin to break down and the sauce is thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Return the tuna to the skillet. Add the pasta and toss to coat, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Divide among bowls and top with the celery leaves and fennel fronds.

PASTA WITH SPICY ANCHOVY SAUCE AND DILL BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook bread crumbs, stirring constantly, until deep golden and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer bread crumbs to a bowl and toss with dill and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.
• Wipe out skillet, then cook onions with 1/4 teaspoon salt in remaining 1/2 cup oil over medium heat, stirring frequently, until very soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Add anchovies and cook, mashing anchovies into onions, until dissolved.
• Meanwhile, cook bucatini in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 5 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Stir red-pepper flakes and reserved water into anchovy sauce, then add pasta and toss to combine. Add about half of bread crumbs and toss to coat. Serve sprinkled with remaining bread crumbs.

BUCATINI WITH FENNEL AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Place anchovies and their oil in a small bowl, add the lemon juice and mix together to break up anchovies. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a 12- to 14-inch skillet, add bread crumbs and cook on medium, stirring, until they are toasted. Fold in parsley and tarragon, remove from skillet and set aside. Wipe out skillet and add remaining oil. Heat on medium-low, add fennel, onion and garlic and cook until they become soft and translucent and show a hint of color. Lightly season with salt and liberally with pepper. Stir in anchovy mixture and set aside. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
• Cook bucatini until not quite al dente. Remove 2 cups of the pasta water and continue cooking pasta until just done. Drain and add to the skillet with the fennel mixture along with about a cup of the pasta water. Scatter in the lemon zest. Heat on low. Use tongs to toss pasta thoroughly with the fennel mixture. There should be enough liquid to moisten the pasta without making it soupy, so add more pasta water if needed. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Don't be shy with the pepper. Divide the pasta among 4 to 6 warm plates, top each with some of the bread crumbs and serve with cheese on the side.