Tuesday 21 February 2012

Variazione Sul Tema (Linguine Nests with Fish Fillet- Nidi di Linguine al Pesce)





There is no sea like the Adriatic. Its waves gently "caress" the coast of Bari, the place where I was born. The sound of those waves gently crashing against the rocks, the smell of the seaweed, the song of the seagulls and the taste of salt on your arms, on Summer's day, are always there, hiding, deep inside me, a constant reminder  of who I am and where I came from. I love the sea!


Today, I made this dish which reminds of the colours, tastes and aromas of my land and of "my" sea. Maybe not one my mother would have made (she was a classic cook) but... I remember her making frittata using eggs, cheese and spaghetti! So, maybe the dish I am about to show you is a variation on a traditional theme and one of the main ingredients is fish!






Food, just the same as language changes, evolves, expresses itself in new and different ways. Today I made some Nidi di Pasta al Pesce "Pasta nests with fish." Would I call this an innovation, a modern recipe? Maybe! The ingredients are traditional, but the end product, I think, is quite innovative.


This dish could be served as a starter to a meal, served in small portions, like I did, or as a main course. Believe me, when I say it's truly delicious. On this occasion, I enjoyed marrying up some of  my favourite flavours! 




Here it is:

Nidi di Linguine al Pesce
Linguine Nests With Fish
Serves 4

For the "nests":
4X100g fish fillets
(about 1lb altogether-
(could use sea bass or cod)
a few tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove
salt, black pepper
200g ( 7 oz) linguine pasta

For the sauce:

3 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove
1 tbsp capers in vinegar
handful black olives (pitted)
8 sundried tomatoes
handufl fresh parsley
some basil
1 tbsp passata or
pureed tomato
few slices chilli pepper (optional, but not for me! I love it!)

Before you start, bring some water to the boil, in a saucepan. When really boiling, add your linguine with some salt. Cook until "al dente", rinse in cold water, drain and reserve.


Prepare all your other ingredients. This dish is very quick to prepare.

Next, take a piece of fish and wrap it in a quarter of your linguine, to make a nest shape, with the fish in the middle of it. The linguine will be very slippery, but don't worry, as, during the next stage you will be able to bring it all together. Make and keep your nests, one at a time, on a flat plate.



Take a non stick frying pan, put a few of tablespoons of olive oil in it, and, when hot, slowly and carefully slide your first nest into it. Try to turn the nest over a few times, until your linguine turns a lovely golden colour. Don't worry if the "nest" looks messy. I used a fish slice, to turn the mine over. Add a clove of garlic, finely chopped, salt and pepper.
Remove your nests from the pan when nice and golden and keep in a warm place (warm oven?) as you are now ready to finish the dish.

Using the same frying pan, make the sauce. Add the rest of the oil, heat up, then add a clove of garlic, chopped (cook until golden) followed by: capers, sundried tomatoes (chopped really small) parsley, basil and chilli pepper, if you are using it. I then added a tiny amount of passata (less than a tbsp!) to make a sauce which wasn't too dry. I also added a couple of tbsp of the water I drained off my linguine. 






Let the sauce reduce slightly, cook for about five minutes, then divide amongst the four portions. This should be a kind of dry sauce, but, if you find it too dry, you can, like I did, add a few tablespoons of the water in which your pasta was cooked.


When you taste the fish in the middle of the nest you will be surprised: it cooks, but keeps all its moisture and flavour. I combined some of my favourite "things," but had to chop the sundried tomatoes very finely, as I don't like the texture of tomato skin.
The dish is very Mediterranean, indeed. The flavours robust and very familiar to me... it's a good dish, easy to make and well worth trying!


                                                            DE-LI-ZIO-SO!

41 comments:

  1. Anna I am dying to try this recipe! I know it smells when I read your description! And I know that your recipes truly taste deliciously you do not have to say anything! You gave me some fantastic ideas for cooking over the weekend: Thursday the Gnocchis and on Friday the fish. I have never been to Bari but I have been at the Adriatic Sea (more north) and like it very much. The pictures are brilliant and I wonder when your book is published... Ciao e mille grazie! Christa XXXXX

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    1. Dear Christa, when I publish my book I'll get my stepdaughter Valery (professional photographer in NY) to do all the photos. I'll do the cooking and Christa... can be the Guinea Pig! You'll get to try all the recipes out and see if they work! you are doing that, anyway!

      Mille grazie a te, cara!

      ANNA

      xxx

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  2. What delicious plate !!! When I saw at your post I thought that I had it in front of my table !! Can I have a little of this delicious plate , please ?
    Have a nice evening !!
    Olympia

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    1. So good to have a little "pice" of Greece, here on my blog! Thank you Olympia for commenting. Come back and ... a big kiss to your country I love so much!

      ANNA
      xx

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    2. Sorry, Olympia. I meant to say "A little piece of Greece, not "pice"

      ANNA

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  3. Dear Anna - not only are you a superb cook, but also you have such a delightful way of weaving yourself, your homeland, and surroundings into the recipes. Looks wonderful

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    1. I appreciate the fantastic comment, Rosemary! Thank you so much! it makes me happy to see that peole have noticed that my blog isn't just about food!

      Thank you so much!

      Good night...

      ANNA

      xxx

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  4. I don't know how you make things look so beautiful....lovely post as always Anna! xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It's not difficult. Italian food is beautiful and I have an eye for beautiful "things"...

      I do try...

      Thank you so much! you are kind!

      ANNA

      xxx

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  5. Oh yes dearest Anna! Truly DE-LI-ZIO-SO..you make me hungry!!!!!
    Great pictures as always!
    Michela x

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    1. Grazie per i complimenti, Michela! Tu sei sempre tanto gentile!

      Buona notte...

      ANNA

      xx

      Delete
  6. Anna you have a magical way of making the dishes you describe sound wonderful and I can feel your love of food and your beloved Italy in all your posts.

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    1. Thank you, Lindy... you got it right! My blog isn't just about recipes. There's more to it and you can see it...

      THANK YOU!

      ANNA

      xxxx

      xxx

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  7. gnam gnam gnam e ancora gnam
    baci Patty

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Patty... cucinala per tuo marito (o compagno?) Provaci... e` molto buona... forse gli piacera` e sono certa che piacera` a te. Sara` buona anche con le tagliatelle fatte in casa....

      Buona notte...

      ANNA

      Baci a te: xxxx

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  8. There will be a book!!!
    Really!

    Your recipes sound wonderful!

    ♥ Franka

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    Replies
    1. Franka, you are kind. Of course, I would like that very much, but... things in life don't always go as one would want them to go!

      Glad you like my recipes: Christa likes to try them out!

      Thank you so much!

      ANNA

      xx

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  9. Dear Anna, when is the next fairy party in your garden? I'll send you the dress! I have never heard of Thumbolina but thanks to You Tube I now know who she is... I could not understand the words "one offs" and no dictionary could explain. Please help! Mille grazie! XXXX Christa PS. Next book I shall introduce is YOUR cookery book! Not joking!

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    1. Christa,

      If something is a "one off" it means original, unique... there isn't another one the same.

      The next fairy party at the bottom of my garden is on March 21st. That is when the fairies, gnomes, ladybirds and butterflies welcome di arrival of Spring.

      I shall make myself very tiny and wear that little dress, made of dried flower petals. Does it come in black?

      I'm glad I introduced you to Thumbolina, "Pollicina" in Italian. I read the book when I was a little girl.

      Buona notte!

      ANNA

      xx

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  10. Wow, I love going to Italy, but your pics of food have me really wanting to go back now. Groovy blog:)

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    1. Then you must go back to Italy!Glad you liked my pictures and thank you for saying my blog is "groovy."

      I like that word!

      CIAO

      ANNA

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  11. Hello Anna, wow this looks delicious, you are so creative.
    Thanks for all your lovely comments. I think my daughter would enjoy German breakfasts, it all sounds too savoury for me, but I suppose they do sweet things too? Glad you liked Sparky. Love Linda x

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    1. Ciao Linda!

      You should ask Christa or Franka about German breakfasts, the kind of stuff they eat every morning ( our friends were treating us very well, I assume!)

      I don't remember whether we had anything sweet, for breakfast, in Germany, though in Northern Germany I really went for the delicious salmon and the shrimps (and everything else!) and in Bavaria the cheese was just too good and you just had to eat it (which I find easy to do!) Again... there might have been some jam on the table, but, who wants cotton when you can have silk? Yes, Linda, I am a "savoury" kind of person. I wasn't brought up to eat cakes and chocolate, but I will make an exception for Danish pastries... and the odd scone with clotted cream and jam (good old English cream tea is the one for me!)

      Your little doggie is so cute!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

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  12. Dear Anna,
    How can i keep up with all these wonderful recipies.. This dish looks delicious.. i know it will taste delicious.. I love pasta with sea food or fish.. I make it in the summer.
    You really do work so hard on your lovely blogs Anna..
    loved it
    Thanks Val
    xxx

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    1. Hi Val!

      I would actually like my photography to be better. I would like to undertake a course, as I love it!

      Val, this dish is a bit different, as most of the pasta is actually crunchy! It does taste delicious, as the combination of flavours is fantastic!

      Thank YOU for your lovely comment...

      CIAO

      ANNA

      xx

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  13. Oooh, my goodness! What a great way to eat fish!!! THank you! I loved your comment on my last post and now I wish you a wonderful weekend!

    hugs, Kristin

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  14. Hi Kristin! You should try this recipe: it's original and a new, different way to eat and use pasta!

    SEE YOU AGAIN VERY SOON!

    HUGS

    ANNA

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  15. Anna bella, while you were making your chocolate semifreddos (sounds fantastic and I am looking forward to the recipe) I copied one of your delicious recipes! Have a look at my post tomorrow. I hope I did everything correctly.. it was wonderful anyway! Ciao e buono fine settimana HUGS, Christa

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    1. I wonder what you made! I can't wait to see your post, now! I nad gnocchi tonight and I feel very full, though I didn't have much to eat.

      My semfreddo was good, but I don't really like sweet stuff, much. Creme brulee is my top pudding. I know it's not Italian, but in my city we love anything with cream! My student Le Parisien told me it's because part of our heritage is Norman and people in Normandy love cream and cheese! Is that good news?

      Buona notte mia cara amica...

      I'm very tired...

      ANNA
      xx

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  16. Hi Anna,

    Just read your comment. I enjoyed it very much! Your Linquine nests look delicious!

    I was happy to hear your peony survived despite your neighbours rude way of cutting the grass. It's such a beautiful flower!

    It most be lovely going to Italy this time of year. I hope you will get lots of sun!

    Enjoy!

    Madelief x

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    1. Hi Madelief!

      I always enjoy looking at your blog. I especially love your cups and all your china!

      I will take lots of photos, in Italy, and I can't wait to get there! Last year we were in Puglia, in Spring, and it was really, really warm and sunny. We then went to our house in Campania and... it was so cold! But nice...

      Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

      ANNA
      xx

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  17. Ciao Anna, thanks for your comments! I am always happy to hear from you! Today lent started, no meat, no wine, no sweets... awful and challenging for the cook! Enjoy your evening! xxxx Christa

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    1. Dear Christa, Lent sounds very painful, to me. In Italy we don't really do this... I didn't know that you were actually meant to give up food and wine for real! How long do you have to do this for?

      No recipes for you, then, Christa! Just bread and water! I guess it's ok to eat fish, pasta and vegetables! That's not too bad!

      I'm always very happy to hear from you, too!

      xxxxx HUGS

      ANNA

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  18. Hello! I'm glad I found your blog, your beautiful pictures make me HUNGRY! I've become a follower of your blog for support, perhaps you'd consider following mine? I'm a writer of prose and fiction and currently working on getting my second novel written. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Hi Martin! I'm glad you found my blog, too! Please feel free to comment any time you like.

      I saw your blog and was interested in your poetry, as I am a poet, too! I will read more later in the week.

      You have a wonderful family, which, I gathered, will be gaining a new tiny member, soon! Congratulations!

      CIAO

      ANNA

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  19. You are absolutely correct about that chicken drumstick! Horrible! Looking at her I only see hair, eyes, mouth and head. The rest is so skinny it disappears! Not nice at all - to say the least! I was cooking all afternoon long. I made 8 big foccacie, I roasted peppers, melanzane, zucchini, little tomatoes and I made brownies. Tomorrow my son is having a farewell aperitif and I was so happy to support him. Tomorrow I shall fill them with salami, parma ham, mortadella, the roasted veggies, mozzarella, feta cheese, dried tomatoes in oil, carcioffi, cheese, rocket, fresh tomatoes and salad. Of course not all at once! Ciao - have a nice evening! Christa (not a drumstick at all...)

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    1. Hi Christa! Sorry I'm replying so late, but I find I am very, very busy all the time!

      I am glad you agree with me: if she had been the girl in Hansel and Gretel, she never would have got eaten! But... she has a very good point: a cute husband! You described her SO WELL! Well done! Funny!

      Maybe you should have sent her one of your focacce: you made eight of them! WOW! In my city they make the best focaccia: very thin, just how I like it, and... delicious!

      You made me hungry, Christa, but... what happend to Lent? Salami and Mortadella (my favourite) are made from meat? Do you just sniff it?

      Have a nice evening, Christa!
      You always put a smile on my face!

      HUGS

      ANNA

      xx

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  20. Hi, I'm glad of being already your follower. Greetngs from Rome, Francesca

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    1. Ciao Ciao, Francesca, italiana, con un bel nome, che mi scrive dalla bella Roma! Francesca io sono italiana "originale" come te, quindi, se vuoi, puoi commentare in lingua italiana! Francesca... fammi un favore, se puoi: dai un grandissimo bacio alla Fontana di Trevi, da parte mia, e un "Arrivederci a presto!" perchè tanto in estate ci torno!

      E ora andrò a guardare il tuo blog!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

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  21. Ciao Anna, insomma ho fatto una bella scoperta scoperta: un'italiana che vive in Inghilterra e che ha tante Rose! Ma che meraviglia!!!Io ne ho ordinate proprio lunedi tre tipi di rampicanti, perchè vorrei aumentare la collezione, anche se adesso sono concentrata sui bulbi. mi fa piacre scoprire questi interessi in comune. Ti seguirò con molta attenzione allora. Fontana di Trevi? E' sempre bella ma ci sono troppi turisti. Una volta ci sono stata alle 5 del mattino: magnifica! Ciao a presto

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    1. Francesca, ciao... sai, questa mattina ho acquistato una Clematis Montana Alba e due piante di Ribes (diventeranno cespugli!) Qui, i bulbi iniziano tutti a fiorire. Io ho tulipani, narcisi e tanti muscari, singoli e doppi. Amo tanto i tulipani rosa...

      Sai, a me la Fontana di Trevi piace a tutte le ore... non m'importa dei turisti. Di notte, però, è romantica. Purtroppo, sento molto il fascino della Dolce Vita!

      A presto!

      ANNA

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