Spicy Jalapeño Oil Pasta
Spicy Jalapeño Oil Pasta
How to Make Simple and Delicious Spicy Jalapeño Oil Pasta at Home
Among all pasta types, oil pasta stands out for its clean and exquisite flavor. On days when you crave a pasta with a little kick, let’s make a spicy oil pasta by adding jalapeños! It’s simple, yet incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients- 3-4 pickled jalapeño peppers
- 5-6 dried red chili peppers (peperoncino), adjust to taste
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 olives (black or green)
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved from boiling pasta)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the pickled jalapeños. You can finely chop them or slice them thinly according to your preference. Slicing will give you more of a jalapeño texture, while chopping allows the flavor to infuse more deeply into the sauce.
Step 2
Pour a generous amount of olive oil into a pan. Add the thinly sliced or minced garlic cloves and dried red chili peppers. Gently sauté over low heat to release their aromas. Be careful not to burn the garlic; fry it until it turns golden brown. This step infuses the oil with a rich flavor.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and cook your pasta for 8 minutes. It’s recommended to cook the pasta ‘al dente’ (firm to the bite). Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. This starchy water is crucial for creating a smooth sauce later.
Step 4
While the garlic and chili peppers are infusing the oil, monitor the pasta to ensure it cooks to the desired doneness. This parallel cooking saves time and ensures everything is ready simultaneously.
Step 5
Once the garlic and chili peppers have released their fragrance, add the prepared sliced jalapeños and pitted olives (halved if large) to the pan. Sauté them together with the aromatics. This step is wonderfully simple, requiring no complex techniques.
Step 6
Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the pan with the sautéed ingredients. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the flavorful oil and other ingredients. This quick toss is almost all there is to it – a super simple pasta dish!
Step 7
If you enjoy basil, add a generous handful of fresh basil leaves. The aromatic basil will beautifully complement the spiciness of the jalapeños and the richness of the olive oil. If you don’t have basil, you can omit it, but it adds a wonderful freshness.
Step 8
Finally, pour in the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water and quickly stir everything together (swish!). This helps to emulsify the sauce, creating a beautiful glossy coating on the pasta. Adjust the seasoning with salt or a pinch of chicken stock if needed. In about 10 minutes, your spicy jalapeño oil pasta will be ready. Isn’t that wonderfully easy?
