Singles’ spaghetti

“Did you eat yet? Has to be one of the most romantic questions.”
– Anonymous

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. A day marked for love and affection. A day for couples to coddle each other with cards, cuddly bears, and chocolate. Unfortunately, not everyone has had the fortune of finding their better half yet, me included. Now, while a patient prince is yet to enter my jumbled life, I thought to spend the day with my other persistent affair – food. Pasta particularly has been an enduring love for me, and this spaghetti arrabiata certainly calls for a cheeky chef’s kiss every time I make it. So, keep your red roses to yourself, because all I want for Valentine’s is a red sauce spaghetti.

RECIPE
Feeds one greedy person or two warm souls

INGREDIENTS

• 100gms dry spaghetti
• 1 liter water, boiling and salted
• 3 large tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf, dried or fresh
• 2 dried red chillis
• 1 green chilli, sliced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp basil
• 1tsp oregano
• 1 tsp red chilli flakes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp olive oil

1. In a pan, add the oil, garlic, bay leaf, green chilli, and red chillis. Saute on medium heat till the garlic is golden.
2. Blend the roughly chopped tomatoes to a smooth or chunky puree as per liking. Add to the pan.
3. Add the rest of the seasonings and tomato paste. Simmer for 15-20mins till the sauce is thickened and cooked down.
4. For the pasta, bring the water to a boil in a large pot and add salt with a slick of olive oil.
5. Add the spaghetti and cook for 9-10mins or as per packet instructions. Check for an al dente texture. The pasta, although cooked, should be firm enough to the bite.
6. Reserve a cup of the pasta water and strain the spaghetti.
7. Add to the prepared sauce and toss well, adding the pasta water for better binding.
8. Finish with an optional topping of chilli flakes, oregano, and parmesan.

1. You can make this with any kind of dry or fresh past but pairs best with spaghetti.
2. Any flavorless or vegetable oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil.
3. To tone the heat, you can leave out the red chillis and use sweet paprika instead of smoked.
4. Use wheat and/or eggless pasta to make it vegan.