Torchiette Pasta with Eggs and Capers

I could easily have missed this recipe, it was in tiny print on a page with two other recipes and a giant photo of a hard boiled egg. I’m so glad I didn’t.

This recipe is from the April 2014 issue of Bon Appétit, an issue that’s worth the newsstand price if you’re not a subscriber. Three of the magazine’s staff members suggested ways to use hard boiled eggs leftover from Easter dyeing endeavors and hunts. This one came from Dawn Perry, the Senior Food Editor.

When you read the list of ingredients, you might think you’re in for a very potent dish: anchovies, capers, crushed red pepper, egg. Not so. The flavor is buttery, delicate, briny, delicious. I’ll be honest though, the smell as you prepare this is not neutral. You’ll want to mention what you’re making to those who’ll be eating it before they’re assaulted. Think broccoli. It only smells bad if you don’t know what you’re smelling.

A couple of things were new to me, the pasta shape and the idea of shredding hard boiled eggs. I love them both. The ragged chunks of white and yolk add a delicate richness to this pasta and, I imagine, would do the same for salads or sandwiches. And Torchiette is the perfect shape to shed water when draining, but nimbly capture sauce. Campanelle was called for in the magazine recipe, but I couldn’t find it. Torchiette worked wonderfully, and rotini or penne would also work well.

You may have noticed that I’m a fan of big flavor pasta dishes. If you’re looking for more pasta inspiration, I hope you’ll try Bucatini all’Amatriciana and ultra simple Pasta Aglio e Olio – perfect when you need to make dinner in 15 minutes flat.

And if you love the umami flavor of anchovies, don’t miss this Bagna Cauda!

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Torchiette Pasta with Eggs and Capers

This dish is so simple to prepare yet the flavors are rich and complex.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

• 12 ounces dry Torchiette or other short pasta
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 anchovy fillets
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons salt packed capers rinsed
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 hard-boiled eggs coarsely grated
• ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Instructions

1. Cook Torchiette according to package directions and drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add anchovies, garlic, capers, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir until anchovies dissolve, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add pasta and lemon juice, stir to coat, adding pasta water as needed if mixture is too dry. Remove from heat and add eggs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Toss to combine. Transfer to serving bowl and serve.

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