Inspired by Chris’ cookbook Bringing Italy home by Ursula Ferrigno, I made pasta with sardines the other day.

A great low-budget dinner that was really tasty!

Pasta with sardines, serves 2

Spaghetti

Sauce:

1 onion

1/2 fennel

1 can chopped tomatoes (Cirio)

Italian herbs

chilli flakes

vegetable stock

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 packet sardines in water

Topping:

breadcrumbs

1 clove garlic, pressed

parsley

chilli flakes

olive oil

Pour some olive oil in a saucepan and fry the onions and fennel for a few minutes until soft. Add the chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, seasoning and let it simmer for a few minutes. When it has reduced slightly, add the sardines and let it cook for 10-12 minutes. Cook the spaghetti. In a small frying pan, take two tbsp of the tomato sauce, a handful of breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley and chilli flakes and cook it crusty and golden in olive oil. When the pasta is cooked, drain it but save some of the water in case the tomato sauce is too thick. Add some of the tomato sauce and mix it in with the pasta. Plate the pasta, pour some of the remaining sauce over the pasta, add some the breadcrumbs and drizzle some olive oil over the plate.