Friday 25 February 2011

Spaghetti.

I love Spaghetti; I could eat it almost every day, as long as I have the occasional roast chicken along the way.

Way back in my London days I had an Italian girlfriend who would cook it for me in a way that changed my whole attitude towards pasta. She came from Rome, and explained that this was how everyone ate it back home (not drowning in tomato sauce).

She would put about half a cup of good olive oil into a frying pan, crush two cloves of garlic into it and heat gently. Before the garlic started to brown, she would sprinkle in half a chicken stock cube and a few dried chilli flakes. The cooked pasta was then thrown in, tossed around a bit, and served (usually without further additions).

There are many alternatives to the above recipe; a few anchovy filets instead of the stock cube being a particularly good one. Otherwise MY standard pasta sauce is as follows; I'm making it tonight...

For two people, take about 100gms of good quality minced beef, fry in garlic and plenty of olive oil until cooked, add a heaped spoonful of tomato purée, a good splash of red wine, capers, black olives, dried herbs, and half a chicken stock cube. That's it. The consistancy is regulated by the amount of wine.

Ok it's not as quite as quick to make as my old girlfriend's sauce, but 10 mins should be enough. And remember; in Italy they say that if you have sauce left on your plate, you've had too much. A very small amount of a rich sauce is far better than loads of bland!

NOTA BENE: My exceptionally beautiful Italian ex-girlfriend, Natascia, was sadly amongst the 308 who were killed in the 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila Italy. I hardly dare imagine what horrors she must have suffered. RIP.

18 comments:

  1. Do you have a spaghetti tree growing in Haddocks? (So sad about Natascia.)

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  2. I make the same as your ex beautiful Italian girlfriend except with anchovies instead of chicken stock. Delicious.

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  3. SH. It does look a bit like when I was small. Could almost have been me!

    Sue. I'm planting one on April 1st.

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  4. I cannot help thinking that there was a bit of child abuse involved in that photo, Cro. It wouldn't be allowed today.

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  5. Love the photo....wanted to do this to many kids I have seenover the years...
    as for spaghetti....love it.... its good for hens too! ( just fed some to my hoard)

    as for a favourite recipe...try spaghetti with some marmite mixed in!
    cracking!

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  6. I've heard about Spag with Marmite, but have never been brave enough to try it! YET.

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  7. My version Cro...a couple of diced shallots and crushed garlic cloves sauteed in a good olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the al dente spaghetti. A crisp green salad with lashings of avocado and hot crusty bread on the side (and some hot Italian sausage for hubby who insists on protein!).

    My condolences about your friend...that is tragic.

    John! Marmite? really?

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  8. Poor girl, what an awful way to go. She lives on in your memory though. Every time you make your spaghetti you will think of her. It does sound very good.

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  9. Sounds like a wonderful recipe that I will have to try....especially after that photo!! Sad about Natascia...having her fav dish relives wonderful memories!

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  10. I don't know why MBJ, but the fact that she was so stunningly beautiful somehow makes it worse. Illogical I know.

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  11. When something beautiful is lost from the world it is a double tragedy. Nothing illogical about it.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about your beautiful friend. On a lighter note, I'm making your spaghetti this weekend. x

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  13. So sorry to hear that but I'm sure Natascia appreciates your blog about her bellissimi spaghetti :)

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  14. Hi Cro,until you mentioned that your friend was killed in that earthquake I had forgotten that it had occurred,how terrible when such tragedies fade unless we personally know someone, now close to home is New Zealand in trouble and i fear the death toll will be about the same or even higher..will try spagetti your way it is one of our favourites too, have had no computer for a week and have missed reading the blogs.Have a good day.

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  15. Sounds really good. I like simple recipes like that, and will definitely try it.

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  16. lol! the photo looks funny. it really shows that the baby doest like spaghetti...

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