Sunday 15 September 2013

What made my Sunday — In pictures

I was taken by the title of this book and I had to read it. I am glad I ordered it and I am having a blast reading it. It's not just a wonderful story but a delicious one. A poignant, fun tale about a family....quite like mine. And the protagonist...well he is so much like me and his predicament... a mirror image of mine (almost). And why it is delicious....well it's peppered with names of dishes, Italian delicacies and American favourites and more....that leave me drooling all through. Frank Bruni is fantastic, his writing jaunty and his memoirs strangely familiar. And I love Grandma Bruni!!! Mid way through, this book is bound to feature in my coming blogs. As for today, I had to have Pasta. An tribute to the BruniS and there deep deep love for food.
How I love this colour...luscious and comforting!!!!
I love spaghetti. I love tortellini the most, had tasted it for the first time in a wonderful restaurant in a small village on Lake Maggiore and have been in love eversince. But spaghetti is what I love the most after tortellini. In fact it was at the same restaurant that I had tasted the best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio ever. I tossed up some myself today. Nothing close to that but lipsmacking good anyway. By the way this spaghetti came out of the water al dente...so proud!
Olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes, oregano and parsley....Bliss
My Spaghetti Aglio e Olio....I was a little too generous with the Olio though. But it was awesome anyway.
So, in the last post I mentioned my brand new oven. This is the first thing that went into it. Chicken breast fillet marinated (not in picture) in olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic paste, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper.
And came out nice and juicy.
And tasted great.
I made a sauce too to go with the chicken. Warmed some butter ( quite a bit actually). Added a tablespoon of flour, stirring vigorously all the while. When the flour was golden brown Added a cup of milk (the larger coffee mug actually), stirring all the while. Quickly added seasonings and sugar. Once it had reached the right consistency, took it off the heat. I was a little apprehensive but it worked well with the chicken!!!!

4 comments:

  1. priyadarshini, do you add salt to the water,when boiling the spaghetti?

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  2. and the recipe too pls, of spaghetti Aglio e olio ! :)

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    Replies
    1. Yes Pooja you should always add salt to the water while boiling pasta. About 10 gms for 1 litre of water (Masterchef tip) and a bit of oil as well so that they don't stick.

      As for the recipe, here it is (for half a packet of the regular spaghetti packs we get in the market)

      Olive oil
      Crushed garlic - 2 tbsp
      chilli flakes (according to taste)
      Salt to taste
      Fresh parsley chopped
      Spaghetti (of course)
      Parmesan (grated)

      Method
      Boil water in a large pan. Add salt and a little olive oil and add the spaghetti (Do not break it, even if it sticks out of the pan, leave it at that). Get the paste out al dente (with a bite in it)

      Preserve a little of the starchy water. (about half a cup)

      In a pan heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and stir fry, do not burn the garlic. Add chilli flakes.

      Toss in the spaghetti and combine well. Ladle in a little of the starchy water so that it doesn't become too dry.

      Add parsley and Parmesan cheese. Toss it well and serve hot. Add more cheese later if you want.

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    2. yippee...will post you the pik when i make it.. n..will add you on fb as well.. thankee.. :)

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