How to be a Domestic Goddess... and steer away from the regular spaghetti

 

I've uhmmed several times when my friends ask why I rarely eat the usual spaghetti served in parties, especially the ones served in children parties that I forcefully if not humbly decline and go for the chicken lollipops instead. Though there's nothing wrong with the sweetened Filipino version of the spaghetti there's a part of me that harbors craving to more gastronomical pasta experience.

 

Rustic and simple to make, less fuss on ingredients since most are available in every cupboard or if not accessible to purchase in local supermarkets. My version of Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is a work of moments and easily appreciated by foodies and commoners alike.

 

The ingredient lowdown:

 

1. Pasta (Of course)

2. Garlic infused oil, or go for chopped garlic bits

3. Dried chili flakes, or just pull out one live red chili

4. Parsley, if you like

 

Cook the pasta until it becomes al dente, which is defined as cooked but still has that starchy bite. Note to collect a cupful of the pasta water will be used later as an added magic touch to the dish. On a separate pot, gently pour 3-4 tablespoonfuls of garlic infused oil. If you don't have that go for regular oil and flicker but chopped bits of garlic and release their sweet edge until they turn into a bronzed state in which you do have the option to remove it or add to the dish, the reason I use garlic infused oil is obvious, no chopping and mincing, its all in the infused oil.

 

Then add in the dried chili flakes. The dried ones still has their fiery bite and turns out to be less the edge I want, but palatable. If you are looking for some intensity during the rainy days turn up the spicy edge then go for a freshly chopped chili like a tablespoonful of some and slowly wither them in the garlic blessed oil. Then drain the pasta and convey them to the pot containing the lovely sweet smelling lubricant making sure every strand of the pasta is covered, add the cupful of pasta water to add provide the oily sauce more lubricant. This particular recipe requires the pasta to be swimming in its spicy pool of pleasure. Add the parsley if you have.