"There is nothing in the fridge"

How many times have you said that? Then turned to your favorite take-out menu and said "oh well, let's get the usual". Dial tone...

While I also enjoy my Asian take-out and pizza from the joint a few blocks from our place, there is nothing like a quick home-made meal that tastes good.

Last Friday, I was facing exactly this moment. Not to mention that our fridge went kaput a couple of weeks ago. So there wasn't a lot to choose from.

So here's the deal, I always keep my pantry stocked with stuff that I like; capers, olives, and well I was lucky to have 3 small Roma tomatoes...and cooked a pasta sauce inspired on a puttanesca recipe --the original has anchovies and uses crused tomatoes.

First, I minced a shallot and smashed one garlic clove and put it on the pan with a little olive oil....then while that was sizzling (without burning) I chopped my tomatoes and added them to the party. Finally, I added some pepper and about half a cup of chopped olives (I like pitted kalamatas or gaetas but throw in whatever you have) and a teaspoon of capers --- a little red crushed pepper will add a spicy touch. Cooked for 6-8 min over medium heat while boiling thin spaghetti ; when pasta was ready, I drained it and mixed with the sauce in the pan, tossed over and finished with a drizzle of olive oil. I like to reserve about a 1/3 cup of the pasta water and add some to the pan while you toss the pasta. It makes a better consistency.

If you have 3 more minutes you can complement it with a mixed greens salad and a quick dressing. I like mixing 3 table spoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, salt and pepper. Just whisk it and adjust to taste - I like my dressings a little on the acidic/lemony side.

And that was it. Spaghettini Puttanesca with mixed greens. Oh well, and little red wine, of course. Cheers.