National Pasta Day

With the ever changing world and the fast, consumer paced lifestyle that we lead, families, college kids and just about everyone else, have no time left to cook meals that would last anywhere between half an hour and three hours. Pasta, is a nutritious almost ready-to-eat meal that everyone enjoys. 

Pasta is perhaps the most versatile food. You can combine with the any vegetable or meat you prefer, any sauce, any style and you can make it spicy, bland or cheesy. On this day (17th October), we celebrate National Pasta Day, and salute the dish that Italy so fondly gave us. Yet, in Italy, The Guardian reports, consumption of pasta has declined. Ironically, outside of Italy, the International Pasta Organization reports, that world consumption of pasta has more than doubled. Globalization, huh? 

Pasta comes in many different forms, shapes and sizes. It is the shape of the pasta that gives it its name. Spaghetti - cord, Vermicelli - little worms, Raviolo - little turnips, Lasagna - broad, sometimes ruffles, ribbons of pasta, Penne - quills, Fettucine - small ribbons and so now. The above were just the common ones. And then you have fresh and dry pasta. This list goes on...

Today, The Foodista gives you the most basic pasta recipe - Broccoli and Spaghetti. Don't worry if some of the below ingredients aren't at handy for you - that's the beauty of pasta. Think of it as a blank canvas waiting to be painted on. You paint it with your tastes, likes and dislikes. 

Broccoli and Spaghetti

Serves 4

1 pound spaghetti
1 large head broccoli
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1. Cook the spaghetti in hot, boiling water or as per your packet directions. Drain keeping aside 1/2 cup of the cooking water
2. Cut off the broccoli stalk, peel it and thinly slice it crosswise. Cut the remaining broccoli into shapes and pieces of your choice.
3. Heat of the oil in a skillet on medium heat
4. Add broccoli, garlic, salt and cook until the garlic is lightly brown. You can also check by putting a pork/knife through the broccoli to see if it's tender.
You can add cooked meat over here if you desire
5. Add the pasta, reserved water and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
6. Add the red pepper flakes and toss well. Drizzle with remaining oil.
Add olive oil if needed. 

Serve hot!

P.S - You can add whatever you want to pasta at steps 4 and 5. Seriously.

Your Foodista.