Super-Easy Date Night Spaghetti Recipe to Cook With Bae

Whether you are catching up with bae over a Zoom call or are spending the lockdown period together— here's a recipe perfect for any date, virtual or real. 

"Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is one of the simplest and fastest dinner party dish which is perfect for times you just want to sit and have a good time with your guests without getting too worked up. Fresh garlic (Aglio), good quality oil (olio) and great parmesan are key to making this the simplest, easiest and soul-satisfying recipe," says Chef Manuel Olveira Seller.

So, here's his take on the classic spaghetti:

Ingredients

225gm dried spaghetti
½ cup reserved pasta water
¼ cup good olive oil
10-12 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
1½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or more)
1½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp butter
Salt to taste + Little black pepper
¼ cup sliced black olives
Juice of ½ lemon ( 1tbsp )

Cooking time: 30 mins
Serves - 2 to 3

Method

1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add ½ tsp oil and 1 tbsp salt. Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions given on the package. Drain the spaghetti and set aside. Save ½ cup of pasta water

2. Heat a pan on medium heat and add olive oil. Immediately add the garlic in cold oil and cook for 2 minutes, stir it frequently until it begins to turn golden. Do not overcook it!

3. Add the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 secs. Carefully add white wine and reserved pasta cooking water to garlic and oil and bring it to a boil 

4. Add the drained pasta and black olives with 1 tbsp of butter to the garlic sauce and toss it. Then, add the parsley and squeeze over the lemon juice. Turn off the heat and add 1½ tbsp Parmesan and toss it again well. 

5. Season it with salt and pepper and mix it thoroughly

6. Twirl it onto the plate and serve it with topped, freshly grated parmesan.

My note: You can add some prawns or sliced mushrooms.