Caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for any occasion. The dish is made with simple ingredients, including red onions, anchovy fillets, tomato purée, and lemon zest. The onions are slowly cooked until caramelised and golden, then combined with the other ingredients to create a rich and flavourful sauce. The dish is finished off with a bright and zesty gremolata, made with lemon juice, parsley, and garlic.
To make this dish, you will need a few key ingredients and kitchen equipment, including olive oil, pappardelle or any long pasta, a heavy-based frying pan, and a mixing bowl. The onions are cooked slowly over a medium-low heat until caramelised and golden, then the anchovy fillets and tomato purée are added to the pan. The cooked pasta is then added to the sauce along with the reserved pasta water, and the dish is finished off with a generous spoonful of gremolata.
Overall, caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for any occasion. The dish is rich and flavourful, with a bright and zesty finish from the gremolata. It is sure to be a hit with anyone who tries it.
Key Takeaways
- Caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish.
- The dish is made with simple ingredients and kitchen equipment, including red onions, anchovy fillets, tomato purée, and lemon zest.
- The dish is finished off with a bright and zesty gremolata, made with lemon juice, parsley, and garlic.
Overview of Caramelised Red Onion & Anchovy Pasta
Caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata is a simple yet flavorful dish that can be prepared in just over an hour. The dish consists of thinly sliced red onions that are slowly caramelized in olive oil until they turn golden brown. Anchovy fillets are added to the onions and allowed to dissolve, imparting a salty umami flavor to the dish.
The pasta used in this recipe is pappardelle, but any long pasta can be used. The pasta is cooked according to package instructions, and a portion of the pasta water is reserved for later use. Tomato purée is added to the caramelized onions and anchovy mixture along with black pepper. The mixture is cooked until it darkens and thickens.
Once the pasta is cooked, it is added to the sauce along with the reserved pasta water. The pasta is stirred well to combine with the sauce, and the dish is transferred to a serving platter. The gremolata, which is a mixture of lemon zest, juice, parsley, and garlic, is spooned over the pasta to add a fresh and tangy flavor to the dish.
Overall, caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weekday dinner or a weekend lunch. The combination of caramelized onions and anchovies, along with the fresh and tangy gremolata, creates a complex and satisfying flavor profile that is sure to please any palate.
Ingredients List
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 red onions, thinly sliced
- 200g pappardelle (or any long pasta)
- 2 anchovy fillets in oil, drained
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 15g parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
For Gremolata
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
- Garlic
The main ingredients for this dish are olive oil, red onions, pasta, anchovy fillets, tomato purée, lemon, parsley, and garlic. These ingredients are essential for creating the rich, savory flavors that make this dish so delicious.
The onions are caramelized over a medium-low heat for 30-35 minutes until they are golden and sweet. The anchovy fillets are added to the onions and allowed to dissolve, infusing the dish with a deep umami flavor. The tomato purée and black pepper are added to the mixture, creating a rich and flavorful sauce.
The pasta is cooked according to the package instructions and reserved pasta water is added to the sauce to create a silky and smooth texture. Finally, the gremolata, made with lemon zest, juice, parsley, and garlic, is spooned over the top to add a bright and fresh flavor to the dish.
Overall, the combination of these ingredients creates a complex and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or a dinner party with friends.
Kitchen Equipment Required
To make this delicious Caramelised Red Onion & Anchovy Pasta with Gremolata, you will need a few basic kitchen tools and equipment. Here are the essential items you’ll need:
Frying Pan
A large, heavy-based frying pan is required to cook the onions until they are caramelised and golden. The size of the pan should be large enough to accommodate the onions and the pasta.
Pasta Pot
A pot or pan large enough to cook the pasta according to the package instructions is needed. The pasta should be cooked until it is al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite.
Mixing Bowl
A mixing bowl is required to prepare the gremolata. The bowl should be large enough to hold the lemon zest, juice, parsley, and garlic.
Cutting Board and Knife
A cutting board and knife are required to slice the onions and chop the garlic and parsley.
Measuring Spoons
Measuring spoons are needed to measure the olive oil, tomato purée, lemon zest, and black pepper.
Serving Platter
A serving platter is needed to transfer the pasta and sauce to the table. The platter should be large enough to accommodate the pasta and sauce.
Overall, these are the basic kitchen tools and equipment needed to prepare this delicious Caramelised Red Onion & Anchovy Pasta with Gremolata. With these items, you can easily prepare this dish and impress your guests with its delicious flavours.
Preparation of Ingredients
To make the caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata, the following ingredients need to be prepared:
- Red onions: Thinly sliced red onions are fried in olive oil until caramelised and golden, which takes around 30-35 minutes over a medium-low heat. A large pinch of salt is added to the onions while frying.
- Pappardelle: Any long pasta can be used, but pappardelle is recommended. The pasta is cooked following pack instructions, and 120ml of pasta water is reserved.
- Anchovy fillets: Two anchovy fillets in oil are drained and added to the onions when they have caramelised. They dissolve in the sauce.
- Tomato purée: Two tablespoons of tomato purée are stirred in along with 15 twists of black pepper (around ½ teaspoon) and cooked for 4-5 minutes until the mixture has darkened.
- Lemon: The zest and juice of one lemon are mixed with parsley and garlic to make the gremolata.
- Parsley: 15 grams of parsley are roughly chopped and mixed with the gremolata.
- Garlic: Two garlic cloves are finely chopped and mixed with the gremolata.
Once all the ingredients are prepared, the pasta is added to the sauce along with the reserved pasta water. The mixture is stirred well to combine and then transferred to a serving platter. The gremolata is spooned over the pasta to serve.
Cooking the Red Onions
To begin making the caramelised red onion and anchovy pasta with gremolata, the first step is to cook the red onions. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the thinly sliced red onions to the pan along with a large pinch of salt.
Cook the onions for 30-35 minutes over a medium-low heat, stirring often, until they are caramelised and golden. The slow cooking process allows the natural sweetness of the onions to develop, resulting in a rich and flavourful base for the pasta sauce.
Once the onions are caramelised, add the anchovy fillets to the pan and let them dissolve into the onions. This adds a salty umami flavour to the dish and complements the sweetness of the onions.
Stir in the tomato purée along with 15 twists of black pepper (around ½ tsp) and cook for 4-5 minutes until the mixture has darkened. This helps to deepen the flavour of the sauce and create a rich, savoury base for the pasta.
Overall, cooking the red onions is a crucial step in making this delicious pasta dish. The slow caramelisation process adds depth and sweetness to the onions, while the addition of anchovy and tomato purée creates a rich and savoury sauce that complements the pasta perfectly.
Creating the Gremolata
To make the gremolata for the caramelised red onion and anchovy pasta, mix together the lemon zest, juice, parsley, and garlic with a pinch of salt. This mixture will add a fresh and zesty flavor to the dish, balancing out the sweetness of the caramelised onions.
It is important to finely chop the garlic to ensure that it is evenly distributed throughout the gremolata. The parsley should be roughly chopped to add texture and color to the dish.
The gremolata can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Simply mix the ingredients together and cover with cling film or store in an airtight container. When ready to serve, spoon the gremolata over the pasta and sauce.
Overall, creating the gremolata is a simple and quick step that adds a burst of flavor to the dish.
Boiling the Pasta
To cook the pasta for the caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Follow the package instructions for cooking the pappardelle or any long pasta until it is al dente, which means it should be cooked but still firm to the bite.
Before draining the pasta, reserve 120ml of the pasta water. This starchy water will help to thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside while you prepare the onion and anchovy sauce. The pasta can be added to the sauce at the end of the cooking process, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Remember to keep the pasta water nearby in case you need to add more liquid to the sauce. The pasta water can be added in small increments until the desired consistency is achieved.
Combining Ingredients
Incorporating Anchovies
Anchovies add a salty umami flavor to the dish. To incorporate them, add the anchovy fillets to the caramelized onions and let them dissolve. Stir the mixture to ensure that the anchovies are evenly distributed. The anchovies will add depth and complexity to the sauce.
Adding Tomato Purée
Tomato purée adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish. To add the tomato purée, stir it into the onion and anchovy mixture along with 15 twists of black pepper. Cook the mixture for 4-5 minutes until it has darkened. The tomato purée will thicken the sauce and provide a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to the pan along with the reserved pasta water. Stir well to combine and transfer to a serving platter. Spoon over the gremolata to serve. The combination of caramelized onions, anchovies, and tomato purée creates a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that is sure to impress.
Finalizing the Dish
After adding the pasta and reserved pasta water to the sauce, it is important to stir well to ensure that the flavors are fully incorporated. This will also help to create a creamy texture that coats the pasta evenly.
Once the pasta and sauce are combined, transfer it to a serving platter. This dish can be served immediately, but it is recommended to spoon over the gremolata just before serving. The gremolata adds a fresh, zesty flavor to the dish that complements the richness of the caramelized onions and anchovy sauce.
To make the dish even more visually appealing, garnish with additional parsley and lemon zest. This will also add a pop of color to the dish.
Overall, this dish is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a cozy night in or a dinner party. The combination of caramelized onions, anchovy, and gremolata creates a unique and flavorful sauce that is sure to impress.
Plating and Presentation
To present the caramelised red onion and anchovy pasta with gremolata, start by transferring the pasta to a large serving platter. Using a pair of tongs, twist the pasta into a neat pile in the center of the platter.
Next, spoon the gremolata over the top of the pasta, spreading it out evenly. The bright green color of the parsley and lemon zest will provide a beautiful contrast against the deep red of the caramelised onions.
To add a finishing touch, consider garnishing the dish with a few additional sprigs of parsley or a sprinkle of lemon zest. This will not only add visual interest, but also provide a burst of fresh flavor to complement the rich, savory flavors of the pasta.
Overall, this dish is a simple yet elegant option for a dinner party or special occasion. The caramelised onions and anchovies provide a depth of flavor that is balanced perfectly by the bright, fresh notes of the gremolata.
Serving Suggestions
This Caramelised Red Onion & Anchovy Pasta with Gremolata is a delicious and filling meal that can be enjoyed on its own or accompanied by a variety of side dishes. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
- Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of garlic bread for a classic pasta dish pairing. The garlic bread adds a crunchy texture to the soft and creamy pasta, and the garlic flavor complements the caramelized onions and anchovy sauce.
- Salad: Add a fresh and light salad to balance out the richness of the pasta. A simple mixed greens salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing would be a great option.
- Wine: Pair this pasta dish with a full-bodied red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Chianti. The tannins in the wine will complement the anchovy sauce and the acidity will cut through the richness of the pasta.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top of the pasta for an extra layer of flavor. The salty and nutty flavor of the cheese pairs well with the caramelized onions and anchovy sauce.
Enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make Caramelised Red Onion & Anchovy Pasta with Gremolata with any of these serving suggestions to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you properly caramelize red onions for pasta dishes?
To properly caramelize red onions for pasta dishes, thinly slice the onions and cook them in a large, heavy-based frying pan with a pinch of salt over a medium-low heat for 30-35 minutes, stirring often. The onions should be caramelized and golden in color.
What are the benefits of adding anchovies to pasta recipes?
Anchovies add a salty and savory flavor to pasta dishes. They also dissolve when cooked, adding depth to the sauce without overpowering the other ingredients. Additionally, anchovies are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
Are there alternative uses for an excess of red onions in cooking?
Red onions can be used in a variety of dishes beyond pasta. They can be added to salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and roasted vegetable dishes. They can also be pickled or used as a topping for burgers or hot dogs.
Can red onions be incorporated into vegetarian pasta dishes?
Yes, red onions can be incorporated into vegetarian pasta dishes. They add flavor and texture to the dish and can be paired with a variety of vegetables and herbs.
What types of meat pair well with caramelized red onions?
Caramelized red onions pair well with beef, pork, and chicken. They can be used as a topping for burgers or sandwiches, or added to stews and roasts for added flavor.
What is gremolata and how does it complement pasta dishes?
Gremolata is a mixture of lemon zest, parsley, garlic, and salt. It is typically used as a garnish for pasta dishes and adds a bright, fresh flavor to the dish. The lemon zest adds a citrusy note, while the parsley and garlic add depth and complexity.