Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
I can't believe I haven't posted for more than two years - well there's still a lot of cooking going on but once you lose track of posting here, then it quickly becomes a habit and it's not easy to revert back. Well, here I am and would like to post before another year slips by and hope this is the re-start of some frequent updates on this blog.
For today, I have a very simple and quick pasta dish that can be made for quick lunches or dinners and one that the kids and adults enjoy. While my recipe below uses spaghetti, it can be made with any favorite pasta shape.
During the 2 year break, I have acquired an Instant Pot (Electric pressure cooker) and an Air-fryer so if you see recipes using those don't be surprised. I find the instant pot particularly suitable for cooking pasta very quickly - no need to wait for water to boil and then another 8-9 mins for the pasta to cook. In an instant pot, it requires a lot less time (usually set it to pressure cook for half the time shown on the box) and then release the steam slowly - the end result is a perfectly cooked pasta.
SPAGHETTI AGLIO e OLIO (with Broccoli)
Ingredients:
Spaghetti - half a pound, dry/uncooked
Broccoli florets - about 2 cups (optional - omit or substitute with veggies of choice)
Garlic cloves - 3 to 4, chopped
Olive oil - 1 to 2 tbsp (more is better)
Red chilli flakes - half tsp (or to taste)
Dried Basil, Dried Oregano - 1/4 tsp each or to taste
Salt and Pepper - to taste
Parmesan cheese - 2 to 3 tbsp, grated
Method:
1) Cook spaghetti according to directions on the box till al-dente with some salt. Drain and reserve pasta water.
2) If using an instant pot, add spaghetti and enough water to cover it and for an extra inch, add some salt and Pressure cook (Manual) for 4 mins. When it is done, switch off and wait a minute to slowly release pressure , open the instant pot, drain excess water and reserve some of the water.
3) In a hot pan, add some olive oil and the garlic, allow it to sizzle (without letting it burn) on a medium flame, now toss in the broccoli (if using) and some salt and allow to cook covered for a few mins and then saute for a few more mins till cooked. It should hold its shape and not be overcooked or mushy.
4) Add in the cooked and drained pasta with some of the starchy pasta water, red chilly flakes, dried basil, oregano, black pepper and some salt if desired and toss everything together for a few minutes.
5) Switch off the stove and sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese. Serve hot and Buon Appetito.
For today, I have a very simple and quick pasta dish that can be made for quick lunches or dinners and one that the kids and adults enjoy. While my recipe below uses spaghetti, it can be made with any favorite pasta shape.
During the 2 year break, I have acquired an Instant Pot (Electric pressure cooker) and an Air-fryer so if you see recipes using those don't be surprised. I find the instant pot particularly suitable for cooking pasta very quickly - no need to wait for water to boil and then another 8-9 mins for the pasta to cook. In an instant pot, it requires a lot less time (usually set it to pressure cook for half the time shown on the box) and then release the steam slowly - the end result is a perfectly cooked pasta.
SPAGHETTI AGLIO e OLIO (with Broccoli)
Ingredients:
Spaghetti - half a pound, dry/uncooked
Broccoli florets - about 2 cups (optional - omit or substitute with veggies of choice)
Garlic cloves - 3 to 4, chopped
Olive oil - 1 to 2 tbsp (more is better)
Red chilli flakes - half tsp (or to taste)
Dried Basil, Dried Oregano - 1/4 tsp each or to taste
Salt and Pepper - to taste
Parmesan cheese - 2 to 3 tbsp, grated
Method:
1) Cook spaghetti according to directions on the box till al-dente with some salt. Drain and reserve pasta water.
2) If using an instant pot, add spaghetti and enough water to cover it and for an extra inch, add some salt and Pressure cook (Manual) for 4 mins. When it is done, switch off and wait a minute to slowly release pressure , open the instant pot, drain excess water and reserve some of the water.
3) In a hot pan, add some olive oil and the garlic, allow it to sizzle (without letting it burn) on a medium flame, now toss in the broccoli (if using) and some salt and allow to cook covered for a few mins and then saute for a few more mins till cooked. It should hold its shape and not be overcooked or mushy.
4) Add in the cooked and drained pasta with some of the starchy pasta water, red chilly flakes, dried basil, oregano, black pepper and some salt if desired and toss everything together for a few minutes.
5) Switch off the stove and sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese. Serve hot and Buon Appetito.
Glad to see you posting again Laavanya. I have been following you for close to 10 years now and I know blogging is not as popular anymore. If you post on facebook or YouTube, do share a link here.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear Sowmya and so good to hear from you. Do you not have creative saga anymore? True, blogging isn't what it was earlier but I still like posting here if i find some time. Hope you are doing well.... :)
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