Luciano's Midnight Pasta

This dish, for lovers of pasta, garlic and chilies, could hardy be simpler or more delicious. The flavor is enhanced by the quality of the olive oil and the fire of the chilies. Be heedful that this is not a sauce, as such - rather, each strand of spaghetti is coated with luscious, garlicky oil, and little red and green flecks of chili and parsley. If you prefer a milder, less fiery, dish, use two or less chilies, and remove the seeds. Adapted from Beverley Sutherland Smith's, 'A Taste in Time'. For a variation, I sometimes saute about 8 ounces sliced portobello mushrooms in butter, and top each serving with a spoonful or two. Yum.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 16  ounces  fine spaghetti (I use spaghettini)
• 1  tablespoon salt
• 1  tablespoon  oil
• 4 -6  fluid ounces olive oil (virgin, cold-pressed, for preference)
• 2 -3  small fresh chili peppers, chopped finely (with seeds removed if desired)
• 3 -4  cloves garlic, crushed
• 5  tablespoons  finely chopped parsley
• 5  tablespoons  freshly grated parmesan cheese
•  extra parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

1. In a large pan, heat plenty of water to boiling point, then add salt and oil.
2. Add the spaghetti, cook until al dente, and then drain.
3. While the spaghetti is cooking, gently heat the olive oil.
4. Add the chilies and garlic to the oil, and warm gently.
5. It is important not to fry the garlic, otherwise it will become bitter.
6. Place 1/3 of the spaghetti in a large bowl, then add 1/3 of the chili/garlic oil, 1/3 of the parsley, and 1/3 of the cheese.
7. Toss all together well.
8. Repeat twice more with remaining spaghetti, chili/garlic oil, parsley and cheese.
9. When all is mixed well together, re-heat the pasta for a minute or two in a microwave oven.
10. Serve piping hot in bowls, and pass around extra Parmesan cheese.