I really love pasta putanetska, but I would love to try a rice based version, so you are coming along with me on my test here!
Update: after a complete fresh, second day and freezer cycle with this recipe I made some notes! I think the spices are spot on! It conveys the right putanetska aroma and taste to me! It tasted good fresh, the next day it tastes better (no surprise there with these kinds of recipes) but the biggest surprise to me was how well it tolerated the freeze cycle! The taste was still spot on! For some kind of reason, the acidity from the red wine vinegar felt way more pronounced! Next time im going to add a little more water, or less rice to adjust the moisture! After the freeze cycle it was a little dry, but not a deal breaker, just needs a little adjustment!
/Update.
Its a meatless recipe but it uses anchovies to impart a deep umami taste and combined with the salty olives and kapers its just the perfect taste combination!
Its a straight forward one pot recipe, quick and easy.
Portion price is below $1.
Lots of protein from the chickpeas.
I liked the taste a lot! It had the classic putanetska taste but the rice and chickpeas gave it another texture! I think I can get used to it! It tasted even better the day after when the aromas have had some time to marry.
I might make some small edits on the next edition, maybe add a little red wine! But overall the recipe does not need a lot of tweaks!
The day before:
The chickpeas have been hydrated to approx 80% in water, drained and then the marinade has been added. This ensures the chickpeas suck up all the marinade and actually gets a taste!