Puttanesca sauce is possibly one of the best sauces handed to us by the Italians. This sauce is made with pantry staples like garlic, olive oil, anchovies, capers, olives, chili flakes and canned tomatoes. It resonates well with my own food heritage which has an affinity towards fish and tomatoes. Maybe that’s why I crave for this salmon with spaghetti puttanesca so very often.
Pasta puttanesca was ostensibly invented and made by prostitutes in Naples to lure in customers with its powerful aroma. While that origin might be dubious and scandalous, the fragrant aroma of the puttanesca sauce is sure to allure even the most grim eater.
I use grated fresh tomatoes instead of canned and to heighten the tomato flavor, I add some tomato paste. The garlicky tomato sauce gets some heat from fresh chilies. The flavor of the sauce is enhanced by the anchovies and olives. The lightly sauteed salmon fillets are simmered briefly in the sauce and then finished off with some fresh parsley. Everything is tossed in with some spaghetti.
The whole process of this dish is ridiculously simple. You can add it to your easy meal ideas list and do a happy dance while your mouth is bursting with flavors. This is so good that you’ll start developing weekly cravings for it. Which would be a good thing because this meal is rich in omega- 3 and full of antioxidants.
Recipe
| Ingredients | |
|---|---|
 | 4 eight ounce salmon fillet |
| 10 ounces spaghetti |
| 4 tablespoons olive oil |
| 4 garlic cloves |
| 5 anchovies |
| 3 fresh red chili peppers, Thai or Serrano |
| ¼ cup tomato paste |
| 5 fresh tomatoes grated with a box grater |
| ½ cup pitted black olives |
| â…“ cup minced fresh parsley |
| 1 ¼ teaspoon salt |
| 1 teaspoon pepper |
| Instructions | |
|---|---|
| Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper on salmon fillets |
| Heat oil in a large heavy skillet |
| In medium heat, sear salmon fillet for about 2 minutes on each side |
| Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside |
| Add the anchovies in the now empty skillet |
| Reduce heat to low and add minced garlic and cook for a minute without letting the garlic burn |
| Add tomato paste and stir to mix in with the garlic and anchovies |
| Add grated tomatoes, black olives and salt |
| Cover the skillet and let the puttanesca sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes |
| Return the salmon fillets to the skillet and simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes or until cooked. Take care not to over cook the salmon |
| Sprinkle fresh parsley |
| Cook spaghetti in a big pot of salted water according to package directions |
| Remove the salmon on to plate |
| Toss the spaghetti with the puttanesca sauce |
| Serve salmon with the spaghetti puttanesca. Sprinkle some more fresh parsley |
If you make this Salmon with Spaghetti Puttanesca, please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you! And if you do make this recipe, please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or your favorite social media platform! I would love to see pictures of your creations.
Inspiration: Heart healthy but cozy dinners
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