This is the kind of meal I make when I want something simple, done well. A puttanesca sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, olives, capers, chili and a spoonful of anchovy paste comes together quickly yet tastes composed and deeply satisfying. Softly poached eggs set gently in the sauce, adding richness and making it just as fitting for an easy dinner as for a weekend brunch.
A thoughtful pantry is built around ingredients that naturally add depth. Anchovy paste dissolves into the tomato base, anchoring savory flavor and giving the sauce the structure it needs for softly poached eggs. The result is a balanced dish shaped by a small but essential staple, one I rely on when I’m cooking from what’s already on hand.
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon anchovy paste or 4-6 anchovy fillets
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes with their juices crushed
- 1/4 cup pitted chopped kalamata olives
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or fresh basil
- Kosher or sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4-6 large eggs
- Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
- Splash of sherry vinegar optional
Instructions
- In a large cast iron pan or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the anchovy paste (or finely chopped anchovy fillets) and crushed red pepper, stirring until the anchovy dissolves into the oil and becomes fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant, then add the tomato paste and continue cooking, stirring, until it deepens in color, another 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes with their juices and stir in the olives, capers and thyme or basil sprigs. Season lightly with salt and pepper and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and slightly reduced, about 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then discard the herb sprigs.
- Using the back of a spoon, make small wells in the sauce and crack the eggs into them one at a time. Cover and cook until the whites are set and the yolks reach your desired consistency. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and, if you like, a small splash of vinegar before serving.
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