The power of pasta
Traveling is challenging, entertaining, educational, and fun. But the bliss that I found last night standing in my kitchen as I chopped veg for a simple pasta was priceless. Of course it wasn’t priceless at all…merely the end result of nearly two weeks away from home…the bonus prize for traveling.
GH was out with his work buddies celebrating the highly deserved promotion of a comrade, the boys were hiding out in their rooms, and I decided to make a bowl of pasta for my dinner. I once read an article by Bill Buford where he talked about the salty, starchy attributes of pasta water and what a waste it is to discard it. He goes on to talk about how it can bind a simple compilation of ingredients into a sauce that transforms its parts into a soulful whole. Once I read that I was hooked, and once I tried it, well I never looked back.
Buford was talking about an incredibly potent version of pasta water that he found at Batali”s Babbo. To recreate that in a home kitchen would be nearly impossible or just crazy. But it is possible to improve the typical pasta water. I start by using just enough water. Not too much, not too little…it all depends on the amount of pasta I’m cooking. Then I salt it robustly…yes, robustly! Use coarse kosher salt and toss it in. For my one serving of pasta I used (approximately) 2 quarts of water and at least a heaping tablespoon of salt. Once my pasta is almost done I turn off the heat and remove the pan from burner. I heat my saute pan on high for a minute or two…not too long because I don’t want my olive oil to smoke and I don’t want to burn the garlic. Add the oil and the garlic and shake the pan for 30 seconds or so. Add the fresh tomatoes, green onions, and basil. Shake the pan over medium high to high heat and add some pasta water…about 1/4 - 1/3 of a cup for one serving. Shake the pan, add the pasta, shake some more. That’s it…you’re done.
Plate it, add some coarse gray sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and freshly grated Parmesan. Ah, the meal of a Queen. I gladly curled up on the couch with my pasta, a glass of wine, and a TiVoed Daily Show.
I’ve uploaded our trip photos to Flickr so if you want to see more than the ones I posted here go and check them out.
comments
2 Responses to “The power of pasta”
Leave a Reply
Hi Your food blog looks great and you have some
lovely recipes, I will be back to visit you.
from
Jeena xx
visit jeenas blog for healthy recipes
updated daily !
Hi - Just found your blog and it’s very nice - I’ll put you on my must-see list.
I loved Bill Buford’s book Heat and know which passage you refer to. I’m also a total pasta fiend and yours looks delicious.
Cheers!