Penne alla Puttanesca

Or "Prostitutes Penne"...

Gracianne's Italian excursion to Porta Portese gave me the idea for this recipe, which I found in a book by Sophia Loren (no longer in print). Apparently, in between films she found time for cooking like the rest of us mere mortels...

"This dish owes it's name to it's such short preparation time that a lady of the night (or day) could make it between two appointments".

In any case, it's a delicious dish...

Preparation : 25 minutes

Ingredients for 4

400 gr of penne (bucatini or spaghetti can also be used)

4 tinned anchovy fillets

2 garlic cloves

2 tbsp olive oil

60 gr butter

4 large peeled and chopped tomatoes

70 gr pitted olives

1 tbsp capers

4 tbsp flat parsley (chopped)

Parmesan flakes

• Mix the anchovies and garlic with a pestle and mortar.
• Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan, add the anchovy and leave to sizzle for 1 or 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, the olives and the capers. Leave to cook on a medium heat for 15 minutes.
• Cook the penne al dente, drain and serve with the sauce, cover with the flakes of parmesan and chopped parsley.