Pasta alla Bottarga Recipe
Pasta alla Bottarga
Equipment
- Equipment Needed
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large sauté pan or skillet
- Strainer for draining pasta
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 350 g spaghetti or your preferred pasta
- 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes optional, for a spicy kick
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2-3 tbsp Bottarga finely grated
- Salt for the pasta water
- Freshly ground black pepper optional, to taste
Instructions
- Method:
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually around 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the garlic and chili: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Be careful not to let the garlic burn. If you're using chili flakes, add them now for a touch of heat.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Once the pasta is ready, drain it and add it to the pan with the garlic and oil mixture. Toss it gently to coat, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water if needed to help create a smooth sauce.
- Finish with Bottarga: Off the heat, stir in the grated Bottarga and mix well. The warmth of the pasta will melt the Bottarga, infusing the dish with its rich, briny flavor. Add freshly chopped parsley and season with black pepper, if desired.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with extra Bottarga and parsley if you like, and serve immediately.
- Variations and Tips:
- Chili: If you're not a fan of spice, feel free to omit the chili flakes, but they do add a wonderful contrast to the salty Bottarga.
- Butter or Cream: For a richer dish, you can add a small knob of butter or a splash of cream to the pasta before serving. This will create a silkier texture.
- Alternative Pasta: Though spaghetti is traditional, you can also use linguine, bucatini, or any long pasta shape you prefer.
- Substitutions for Dietary Needs:
- Vegetarian: You can make a vegetarian version by replacing Bottarga with nutritional yeast or a mixture of ground almonds and seaweed to mimic the oceanic flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta as a substitute for regular spaghetti.
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Zio Leo here!
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