Pasta com il Pangrattato (Breadcrumb Pasta)

Serves: 2

 

Ingredients

• 7 oz / 200 gms Pasta (Spaghetti works best. But any kind is okay)
• 1 cup (100 gms) Breadcrumbs (I used fresh breadcrumbs)
• 1 Blanched Tomato (boil tomato in hot water for 2 minutes, plunge in cold water & peel the skin off.) ** (Use plain tomato if you don’t want to blanch)
• 1 peeled & roughly chopped Onion (optional in case you don't like onion)
• 2-3 TBsp Parsley 
• 4 - 6  cloves of Garlic, finely chopped
• 1 Chilli Pepper, chopped (or use red chilli flakes) (adjust according to spice req)
• 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 1 tsp dried Oregano / Thyme
• 2 tsp Olive oil (or any vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp Salt (to taste) + more for boiling Pasta
• Water

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt & add the Pasta / Spaghetti
2. Cook according to package instructions… Until al dente. 
3. Drain the Pasta / Spaghetti & set that aside. Reserve about ¼ cup of the starchy Pasta water before draining everything away.
4. Meanwhile, to a skillet (preferably non stick), heat some oil & add the breadcrumbs
5. Toast for 4-5 minutes until the breadcrumbs are crispy. Remove & set that aside.
6. To a blender, add a blanched tomato, half an onion, 2 cloves of Garlic & some parsley. (Blanching takes no more than 2 minutes. Just boil the tomatoes in hot water for a minute or so. Plunge it in cold water & peel the skin off. If you can’t be bother with blanching, simply add a plain tomato)
7. Blend it to a smooth paste & set aside.
8. To the same skillet, heat oil, add garlic & green chilli peppers.
9. Once the garlic is slightly golden, add the tomato paste. Let that cook for about 2-3 minutes
10. Add ground black pepper, oregano, thyme & any other dried herbs that you have and like. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomato paste dries out
11. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved Pasta water to make it more sauce-y.
12. Season with salt & give a good mix.
13. Let that cook for 2-3 minutes on medium high flame until the sauce thickens.
14. Add the cooked Pasta / Spaghetti.
15. Give it a good toss without breaking the Pasta
16. Add the reserved crispy Bread crumbs & mix
17. Serve hot