762. SPAGHETTI with ESCAROLE and BACON

serves 4


1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste
1 head escarole (about 1 1/2 pounds), leaves cut into 1/2-inch strips (about 3 quarts)
2/3 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound spaghetti
1/3 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon butter

In a large deep frying pan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon. Pour off all the fat from the pan.

In the same pan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the garlic, red-pepper flakes, and anchovy paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the escarole, a little at a time, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the broth and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook, covered, for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain the pasta; add it to the pan with the escarole. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, the Parmesan, bacon, and butter.


courtesy of: Food & Wine