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Prawn and tomato linguine with anchovy pangrattato

A deeply flavoursome and classic prawn pasta! Made with a prawn head stock, San Marzano tomatoes and finished with an umami-packed anchovy pangrattato.
Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: fresh pasta, seafood
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

Linguine

  • 300 g semolina rimacinata
  • 110 ml warm water
  • Spray bottle filled with water
  • Fine semolina for dusting
  • NB: if you’re planning to use dry linguine allow 400g

Prawn stock

  • 500 g whole prawns choose whatever is best and local to you – de-shelled, cleaned, meat roughly chopped and heads reserved
  • Reserved prawn heads
  • 1 carrot
  • 2 celery sticks
  • 1/2 brown onion
  • A few garlic cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • A few sprigs of parsley

Anchovy pangrattato

  • 1 ciabatta roll
  • 6 anchovy fillets
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Prawn and tomato sauce

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1 whole dried chilli you can also use fresh if you prefer
  • Bunch of parsley stalks and leaves separated
  • 1 x 400g can San Marzano tomatoes
  • Prawn stock amount as needed - see below

Instructions

Linguine – this is a very low hydration recipe and it can be difficult to work with compared to a normal 50/50 hydration dough. Patience and understanding that this dough will be dry and need multiple rests is key.

  • On a work surface, add the semolina flour and create a well in the centre. Slowly drizzle in the warm water and whisk until you have a custard-like consistency.
  • Switch to a bench scraper and start to flip the flour from the outer edge over and onto the water mix, using a cutting motion to then mix it in. Continue to do this around all sides until you have a crumbly, sand-like mix. Rest the dough for several minutes.
  • Start bringing the crumbly dough together with your hands, squeezing and coaxing it in a ball of dough that’s knead-able – scraping up and incorporating as much loose flour from your work surface as possible. You may need to rest the dough again during this process.
  • Once you have this shape, begin kneading the dough vigorously for a good 10 minutes until the dough is springy and elastic, and not sticking to your hands at all.
  • Cover and rest for 60 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces – work with one at a time while keeping the rest covered.
  • Roll to setting 3, then set the sheet aside to dry for 10-15 minutes. Continue with the other pieces of dough so they can all dry at the same time.
  • Switch to the linguine attachment, pass each sheet through the cutter and dust generously in fine semolina to ensure the strands don’t stick together.
  • Allow the linguine to dry a little before cooking to ensure a nice texture once cooked – ideally at least one hour.

Prawn stock

  • Add the prawn heads and all of the other ingredients to a small saucepan.
  • Add enough water to cover then place over a medium heat.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover the pan.
  • Cook for 60 minutes, strain the liquid and set the stock aside until ready to use.

Anchovy Pangrattato

  • Cut the ciabatta roll in half and toast in a dry pan on either side.
  • Place into a blender or Nutribullet and blitz until you have a fine crumb.
  • In the same pan, heat a the olive oil and anchovy fillets until they start to break down into a paste.
  • Add the breadcrumbs into the pan and stir to coat in all of the oil/anchovy mix.
  • Toast on a medium heat, stirring often, until golden and crunchy.
  • Set aside until ready to use. Once cool, I like to place into an airtight Tupperware with a piece of kitchen paper in there.

Prawn and Tomato Sauce, and Finishing Touches

  • Heat olive oil in a sautéuse pan (or similar) and add the garlic cloves, chilli and parsley stalks – allow these to gently sizzle and infuse the oil.
  • After several minutes, add the tomatoes – the pan will splutter so be careful!
  • Stir the tomatoes to combine with the oil base, then start to add some of your prawn stock by the ladle, letting it cook down and reduce gently. Typically, I add about 3 ladles of stock – you may have some leftover. Use your best judgement on how much to add, tasting as you go. The texture should be a little jammy but not dry. Season to taste.
  • Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil for your linguine.
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions if using dry. If made fresh, cook for 4-5 minutes assuming you’ve allowed the linguine to dry for a couple of hours. Test a strand as you go to ensure the linguine is al dente.
  • Right before the linguine is done, remove the garlic, chilli and parsley stalks from the pan.
  • Stir through the prawn meat, a handful of chopped parsley – check the seasoning is to your taste – then add the linguine directly to the sauce, taking with it some of its cooking water.
  • Toss to marry, serve family style or individually. Top with anchovy pangrattato, and enjoy!
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