Thursday, February 24, 2011

Linguini with Sardines, Fennel, Onion and Lemon - Those Are Some BIG Anchovies?!

Linguini with Sardines, Fennel, Onion and Lemon

Can I tell you something I did today?

I went through the whole process of making this dish...the entire time thinking I was using ANCHOVIES.

When I opened the SARDINE can (clear as day mind you along the side and top of the tin in BIG BOLD LETTERS) I said to myself...

"Hmmm? These anchovies seem unusually large? Oh well."  and on I went...

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I chopped an anchovy a sardine up and added it to olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes simmering away in a pan on the stove...

I made sure to press the anchovy sardine pieces into the oil with the back of a spoon so the fish would all but dissolve into the oil... thus infusing the oil with just a subtle hint of that anchovy sardine flavor. 

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Then I added some thinly sliced fennel, onion and just about eight cherry tomatoes...

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I added a splash of white wine and cooked down the entire sauce for 12-15 minutes...

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I cut up crustless French bread and flat leaf parsley...and made some buttered breadcrumbs.

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In the end, I tossed everything together with 8 oz. perfectly cooked Linguini.... a touch of sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, shaved Parmesan cheese, a hefty squeeze of lemon juice and grated lemon zest....

For a delicious Mediterranean inspired pasta dish with just a subtle hint of ...WHAT?!   SARDINES!  DEEEEELICIOUS!!!!

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21 comments:

Courtney said...

Hahaha - dang those little fish - mix 'em up all the time! ;)

Looks decadent - and beautiful! Yes, I just said a photo with sardines in it looks beautiful!

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

Awesome photos!! They are enough to make a fish/fennel hater (myself!) want to dig right in!

Anonymous said...

omg, I want to cry! I loooovvvveeee sardines! This looks awesome. How good was it, seriously? Would you make it again or was it just okay?

Janis said...

Do you know (of course you don't cuz you don't know me) how many times I have done the same? so many that I no longer buy sardines. Your dish looks fantastic and just as good with da little fishies.

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

Fabulous photos of this looks delish!

Edible Art said...

hahaha !
i guess it would be a very understandable mistake, but atleast the dish came out delicious !

i love linguine , so jealous (:

Katerina said...

Lol, this is is such a funny story, but since the dish came out delicious who cares about these small details?

Unknown said...

LOL... I love it that I'm not the only one that does that! Don't you love it when a plan dissolves and then comes back together? lol
I would devour this pasta! Looks wonderful!

Lea Ann said...

This sounds like something I'd do. This dish sounds delicious...another bookmarked.

Clint said...

You are exhibiting a high level of intelligence---when you screw up, just claim to be creative and continue. You will be lauded by your loyal followers as a leader and innovator.

Your photos are excellent.

I like sardines but not anchovies, so all things work for good.

Cindy Ellison said...

Only you could make a delicious and beautiful dish using sardines! I am still trying to "learn" to eat sardines.

Peggy said...

Ha... this sounds great nonetheless. Trust me, I've done things like that before too... I once even proceeded with a recipe that required escarole, and for some reason then whole time I was using endive. Totally not the same, but like yours, my dish came out pretty good anyway!

City Share said...

Ahhh, we've all had those moments. I think it sounds good with anchovies or sardines.

Simply Life said...

oh wow! what a dish! Can you deliver? :)

laurie said...

Thats funny! It looks awesome!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'd love to have a plate of that. It really looks gorgeous. I, by the way, love sardines and anchovies. I sneak them into a lot of the sauces I make. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

chow and chatter said...

wow great way to use sardines and get those omega 3 yum

Unknown said...

I giggled every time I read sardines. I did something similar with Caesar dressing. Wrong fish or not.. the pasta looks wonderful

Sanura @ MyLifeRunsOnFood.com said...

LOL!!! I love happy mistakes!

Nuts about food said...

Been there, done that. I mean doing one thing convinced I am doing something else. What I haven't done though is make this sauce. It really is mouthwatering and will surely be a success, whether with anchovies or sardines.

Magic of Spice said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Some mistakes are just delightful :)