Spicy Chili Pasta

INGREDIENTS

• 2 servings pasta (approx. 4 oz/120 g)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp red chilli flakes (add more or less as needed)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Water as needed
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1.2 ltr/0.4 gallon water
• Optional: fresh parsley and cheese for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Set a pot of water to boil. Add 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp oregano to infuse into the water
2. While the water is boiling, finely chop the onion and garlic
3. The water must be boiling by now. Add the pasta and let it cook until it's al dente (almost done)
4. While the pasta is cooking, lets make the sauce. Set a pan on medium low heat and add 3 tbsp olive oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil)
5. Add the minced onions and fry until they turn golden. Stir frequently to avoid burning
6. Once the onions are golden, add the minced garlic and fry for 30 seconds
7. Next add the chilli flakes and fry for 30 seconds. Set aside 2 tsp of the chilli onion crisp to garnish the pasta
8. The pasta must be al dente by now. If not, take the sauce off the flame while the pasta is being cooked
9. Once the pasta is almost cooked, add it to the pan along with 1/2 cup of pasta water
10. Stir on medium flame until the sauce is thick, glossy and coats the pasta. The salt should be sufficient as pasta water is salted. If not add some salt while stirring the pasta. Remember that cheese will also be salty so don't overdo it
11. Serve pasta with reserved chilli onion crisp, fresh parsley and grated cheese (used parmesan)

SUBSTITUTES

• No oregano? Use mixed herbs, thyme, tarragon or Italian seasoning
• No chilli flakes? Skip it or add 1-2 dried red chillies
• No olive oil? Butter also works. If using salted butter, add less salt to the pasta water

TIPS

• The salt should be sufficient as pasta water is salted. If not add some salt while stirring the pasta. Remember that cheese will also be salty so don't overdo it
• Stir onions frequently so they don't burn and taste bitter
• Infusing pasta water with oregano/herbs gives a delicious flavour to this pasta so don't skip it