Puttanesca (ish) Chickpeas

Puttanesca (ish) Chickpeas

Apparently puttanesca means ‘in the style of prostitutes’, and if any food could evoke provocation then burrata is probably up there too...the perfect promiscuous match! This is great served with crusty bread and a salad. Or, it’s equally nice by itself. The anchovies are delicious and you can’t tell they’re in the sauce - they melt away - but if you are averse to the tiny fish, then just add a bit more salt. 

I would definitely recommend buying nice chopped tomatoes for this, but if you don’t have any to hand, then a pinch of sugar at the end should do the trick too. 

What ingredients do you need for this dish (includes possible substitutions)? 

Onion: brown, red, shallots - they’ll all work.

Garlic: add as much (or as little, but I’ll trust you less) as you like.

Chilli flakes: optional, they add a very (!) slight heat. 

Tomato paste: this can also be left out, but you’ll have a slightly less tomato rich sauce.

Anchovies: I promise you that you cannot tell there are anchovies in this dish, they just add a salty umami deliciousness to it the sauce. But if you really don’t want to add them then just add a bit more salt! 

Olives: non negotiable for a puttanesca (ish) sauce.

Capers: also non negotiable for a puttanesca (ish) sauce.

Chickpeas: butter beans or another white bean would also work well!

Chopped tomatoes: use good quality if you can! But if you can’t, then you may want to add a pinch of sugar at the end.

Burrata: mozzarella would also be delicious, or just leave it out if you’re vegan. However I have seen some vegan burratas online recently… 

What to serve this with? 

This is perfect with a crusty baguette or on top or sourdough toast. A side salad or some greens would also be great too. But to be honest, there’s already two portions of vegetables in this recipe, tomatoes and chickpeas. I know some of you will say tomatoes are a fruit…and I don’t disagree! Botanically tomatoes are fruit, but nutritionally they’re also considered vegetables. Chickpeas are also another portion of veg (plus lots of fibre). So don’t feel the need to have this with anything else if you don’t want to.

Instructions 

Fry the onion 

In a medium sized frying pan over a medium heat add 1-2 tbsp of oil then the onion. Cook until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently so the onion doesn’t stick to the pan! 

Add the garlic, tomato paste and chilli flakes 

Add the garlic, tomato paste and chilli flakes. Cook for 2 minutes and stir often. Garlic has a tendency to burn when unattended to (it’s needy). 

Add the anchovies, black olives, capers, chickpeas and tomatoes

Now add everything else apart from the buratta. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes, or until thickened slightly. 

Top with the burrata 

Taste for seasoning (you may want to add a pinch of sugar), then top with the burata and enjoy!