Spaghetti aglio olio con il peperoncino rosso, broccoli e briciole tostate!

A delicious rhapsody of spaghetti, garlic, bird eye chillies, broccoli & toasted crumbs!

On a lazy winter evening, you really want something to comfort you. Something which can satiate hunger and yet pack a punch to have a lingering taste! I was anyway craving for a good bowl of pasta, and stumbled across this recipe!

This pasta is a slightly tweaked version of an Italian classic. I've added fiery bird-eye chillies for taste and colour. But frankly, a generous sprinkle of toasted crumbs takes things to the next level! Try this recipe, it's simple and just-so-good!

Ingredients (for 2 servings approximately):

•  250 Grams of Medium Thickness Spaghetti (I used Barilla # 5).
• 1 Cup Broccoli florets - coarsely chopped.
• 12 cloves of Garlic - minced and flaked (don't cheap out on Garlic! - and while minced garlic flavours well, the flaked one brings in nice texture).
• 3-4 Chopped Bird Eye Chillies (adjust to taste and substitute with Chilly pepper flakes if you so desire).
• 1/2 Cup of Cheese - I used a blend of Parmesan and Edam - but you can experiment. Don't use a very salty cheese.
• 1 Cup of Bread Crumbs - toasted to perfect brown on medium heat.
• 4 Table Spoons of Olive oil.
• Salt and pepper to season.

It's exactly what you dream for a comforting meal - fiery, cheesy, fresh and fun!

Preparation:

• Boil Spaghetti till it's almost done. Drain water and keep aside.
• Heat Olive oil in a skillet, add garlic and chillies. Saute till garlic is slightly brown.
• Optional but recommended - Take a pause and enjoy the incredible fragrance of garlic!
• Add Broccoli florets and stir fry for about 2 minutes until tender. Add salt (depending upon how salty your cheese is) and Pepper to your taste.
• In a bowl - blend the steaming Spaghetti and Broccoli preparation. Blend delicately but well. Add cheese and toasted crumbs. And we're good.
• Serve with some nice chopped parsley on top and a generous sprinkle of toasted crumbs!

Buon Appetito!