A spicy red sauce. Invented out of necessity during the Great Quarantine of 2020.
Fry the garlic in the oil until beginning to brown. Add the fennel and toast briefly.
Add the tomato paste and fry until beginning to darken. Add the remaining seasonings and mix. Continue to fry until tomato is deep red.
Add the sardine and lemon juice and mash to combine with the tomato paste. Cook briefly and then thin with water to form a thick sauce. Add the pasta and mix to coat. Add more water to reach desired consistency.
Made for lunch using oil from an empty sun-dried tomato jar. Used oil-packed sardine, and omitted lemon juice. Probably would have been enough sauce for 2 servings if thinned further.
Made again a couple nights ago, going easy on the red pepper flakes and omitting the sardine. "Mediocre at best" - Becca.