Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca (Spaghetti With Hot Sauce) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 - 2/3 cup pitted black olives (Kalamata or Gaeta)
6 -10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 -5 anchovy fillets (optional)
1 lb firm roma tomato, seeded and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons capers
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tablespoon red pepper flakes
12 large basil leaves, chiffonade
12 ounces spaghetti
kosher salt, coarse ground

Preparation

Over high heat bring a large pot of heavily salted water to the boil to cook the spaghetti.
Rinse the anchovies (if used) and capers in cold water to remove saltiness.
Put oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. When the oil heats up, add the garlic, pepper flakes, and anchovies and saute, stirring constantly (about 4 minutes). Do not allow the garlic to brown!
When the oil becomes fragrant add the capers, and olives and continue sauteing for a few minutes, stirring often. Lower the heat to low and keep the sauce warm.
Cook spaghetti in boiling water until al dente, drain reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water to \"loosen\" the sauce if seems too \"tight\".
Add the chopped tomatoes and most of the basil (reserve a little to dress) to the sauce, stirring or tossing to combine and heat the tomatoes through (the idea is not to cook the tomatoes but only to heat them through).
Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce and correct seasoning. Divide among the serving plates, dress each with chiffonade basil and serve accompanied by grated Parmesan or Romano cheese and crusty French or Italian bread.