Spaghetti aglio e olio (“spaghetti with garlic and oil” in Italian) is a traditional Italian pasta dish, coming from Napoli.

It was my sister who shared this recipe with me. She told that it was a very simple but very tasty pasta recipe. Made with only 5 ingredients, that too very basic ones, I was actually wondering how that could be possible.
All of us at home totally agree with that now.

In this recipe one can enjoy the flavours of all the 5 ingredients in each bite:)

Ingredients

Spaghetti- 200 gms
Garlic pods- 12-15
Fresh Red chillies- 2
Or
Red chilli flakes- 2 tsps
Olive oil- 3 tbsps +2 tsps
Cilantro -1/4 th cup
( coriander leaves)
Salt to taste

Method

Heat lots of water in a big pan. I usually use my 10 lit pressure cooker.
When the water starts boiling, add 2 tsps of oil, a tsp of salt and the spaghetti.
Do not break the spaghetti.
Cook till the spaghetti becomes tender. It should not become very soft.
Drain, wash and keep it aside.
Save 1/4 th cup of the cooking water.

Peel, wash, crush and slice the garlic pods.
Wash and chop fresh red chillies.
Wash and chop cilantro.

Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a pan.
When it becomes hot, add the garlic and red chillies. Sauté for a min or till the garlic turns golden.
Add the spaghetti ,the reserved cooking water and salt to taste and toss gently on a medium flame for few mins.
Add the chopped cilantro( keep some for garnishing). Mix well. Take off the gas.
Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with some cilantro, drizzle a tbsp of olive oil on top and serve hot:)