Sardine Spaghettini Anglio e Olio

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a play on a classic Italian pasta dish called Spaghetti Anglio e Olio which is spaghetti coated in olive oil infused with garlic. The recipe for this classic dish can be found here. I was home on a Friday evening with very little provisions in my pantry. I was however able to find some tinned sardines and half a packet of Spaghettini and I was having the most amazing dinner in less than 15 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

(1) 250 Grams of Spaghettini

(2) 1 Tin of Sardines

(3) 2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(4)  4 Cloves of Garlic (Minced)

(5) 1 Teaspoon Chopped Fresh Thyme

(6) 3 Tablespoons Pine Nuts (Optional)

(7) 1/4 Teaspoon Chili Flakes

(8) Salt and Pepper to Taste

(9) Parmesan Cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES:

(1) Though I used Spaghettini in this recipe, spaghetti can also be used.

(2) I made use of only 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil because I also added the olive oil from the sardines.

(3) Though I used thyme here, other herbs such as rosemary, cilantro and parsley would work here.

(4) In place of minced garlic, I made use of roasted garlic which elevated the flavors of the dish. You can learn how to roast and preserve garlic in olive oil here.

(5) Finally, because of how simple this dish is, try to make use of the best ingredients that you can find. This includes your choice of sardines and olive oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCEDURE:

(1) Place a large pot of water on fire and bring to boil.

(2) In a small sauce pan, combine the olive oil, sardines along with the oil drained from the tin of sardines, pine nuts, chili flakes and minced fresh thyme. Flake the sardines and season the olive oil with salt and pepper. Be careful not to over salt the oil as the sardines already have some salt. Place this on fire on medium-low heat and allow to heat gently for 7 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3) When the water starts boiling, salt it and add your Spaghettini. Cook for just 4 minutes or until al dente. The worst error that could be made here is over cooking the pasta. If using spaghetti, cook for 7 to 8 minutes. You can learn more about cooking pasta here.

(4) Drain the pasta when ready and pour the hot infused oil into the drained pasta. Toss to combine ingredients, adjust seasoning if needed and serve pasta.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5) Grate some fresh Parmesan cheese over pasta and enjoy with your favorite bottle of white wine. Its amazing how something so simple can look so exotic and taste amazing.