Penne With Cannellini Beans and Anchovies

Manami's Note:

This dish is very good but because it has anchovies, many people stick up their noses at it but you should try it, you might even like it.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 6 flat anchovies , patted dry
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 small onion , chopped into small bits
• 1 small red bell pepper , chopped into small pieces
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumb
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1 cup cannellini beans or 1 cup other white beans , rinsed and drained
• 2 plum tomatoes , seeded and chopped
• ¾ lb penne or ¾ lb other penne pasta
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach , thawed, drained and squeezed dry
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Combine first 3 ingredients and mince to form paste.
2. Set aside.
3. Heat 1/8 cup olive oil in a large(large enough to cook pasta, as well) nonreactive pot over medium high heat.
4. Add breadcrumbs and cook 3-4 minutes, until crisp, stirring constantly.
5. Stir in Italian seasoning and pepper, to taste.
6. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
7. Wipe pot clean with a paper towel.
8. Heat remaining oil in same pot over medium high heat.
9. Sauté onion and red pepper, till soft(about 5 minutes).
10. Add garlic paste and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until garlic begins to soften.
11. Stir in beans, tomato, and salt & pepper to taste.
12. Cook about 1 minute until heated throughout.
13. Transfer to a large bowl.
14. Using same pot, cook pasta in boiling salted water 5 minutes.
15. Add spinach and cook another 5 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
16. Drain through a colander, removing as much liquid as possible.
17. Lightly stir pasta into bean mixture.
18. Serve sprinkled with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[spreadnjoy]

This was a very good meal, I meant to serve it with BBq porkchops, which I did for the rest of my family. I however just ate this... I really liked it! I did cut the red pepper flakes in half, since I have small children and I used black beans rather then cannellini beans, because I prefer their flavor. My vegetarian S-I-L was here and tried out some of the pasta, she liked it, but said it needed a little something more... maybe more garlic, or chives. All in all I liked it and will make it again. It was a bit involved to put it together but you gave great instructions!!