Always read recipe and instructions in their entirety before beginning. This will help to ensure that no procedure or instruction will take you by surprise.
Ajo, Ojo e Peperoncino
Kitchen Equipment:
Standard stovetop range, preferably gas but electric serves as well.
Kitchen utensils - best if stirring utensils are wooden instead of plastic as some plastics will melt at high cooking temperatures.
Large (5 quart/litre) "pentola" [cooking pot].
Ingredients (4 servings):
1/2 cup (or a little more than 100 gms.) extra virgin olive oil
3 or 4 "spicchi" [sections] of fresh garlic
crushed red pepper (sprinkle in according to taste)
16 oz. package (or 500 gm. package) spaghetti
granulated salt
Preparation instructions:
Peel and cut garlic "spicchi" [sections] into very small pieces. Pour olive oil into large non-stick frying pan. Place pan on oven burner and heat oil on medium heat setting until oil is hot (but do not burn!). Put cut garlic pieces into oil and sprinkle in crushed red pepper (vary quantity of red pepper according to taste - suggest about one or two pepper flakes per square inch). You should hear (and smell!) the garlic and pepper start to cook "sizzle - sizzle". As soon as the garlic pieces have turned a golden brown, turn off the burner. In large "pentola" [cooking pot] bring 4 quarts/liters of water to a boil. To boiling water add spaghetti and two (2) heaping teaspoons of salt. Stir in continually (but do not break!) until all spaghetti are completely covered by water. Allow water to return to a boil and reduce heat to medium-high. Allow spaghetti to cook 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overcook! Cooked properly, spaghetti should still be somewhat firm after cooking. Dani say: NO MUSHY! As soon as spaghetti is cooked, return the pan of oil, garlic and crushed red pepper to high heat. Drain spaghetti and place them in the oil. Yes! Fry the spaghetti! When the spaghetti hits the pan, you should hear them immediately begin to "friggicare" [sizzle]. Turn and stir spaghetti on high heat for 2 minutes. Ensure that each serving includes some of the oil, garlic and red pepper. Serves four (or one extremely greedy, hungry person).
Buon Appetito!
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