Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino: a classic that never wanes

I know, it may not be original but it is one of those absolute pasta dishes of the Italian cuisine that pleases everyone and not everyone can do.

Ingredients (for 3 persons)

1/2 lb. spaghetti
2 red peperoncini (dry or fresh as preferable)
3 cloves of garlic (or fresh garlic)
1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and black pepper

Preparation:

Bring a good amount of water to boil.

Pour olive oil in a frying pan.  Add chopped garlic and fry over medium heat avoiding it to burn. 
Add the chopped peperoncini, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of water.  
Simmer gently while spaghetti are cooking.
Drain pasta when ready and toss in pan and mix well.
Serve with a generous amount of Parmigiano Reggiano (if you like).

IL GIORNO DI CAPODANNO - NEW YEAR'S DAY

After the holidays' festivities and the end of the year, here was New Year's Day (Capodanno). The first day of 2013, we celebrated with lots of tasty and delicious dishes, cooked in a variety of ways, making our table very cheerful. These were simple dishes made with ease that we shared and enjoyed with family and friends with the hope that all our dreams would come true.

One of my favorites: SPAGHETTI WITH BROCCOLI AND CLAMS
 

 

Spaghetti con broccoli e vongole

 

 

Ingredients

1 lb. spaghetti
1 lb. broccoli florets
2 doz. small clams
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup white wine
1 dry red pepper, chopped
Few sprigs of parsley
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper

Place the clams in a bath of water and salt for two hours.  Remove and dry.
In a pan, add 1/2 of the oil and one minced clove of garlic.
Add the clams, the wine and cover.  Cook until clams open.  Remove the clams and filter the water with a piece of cheese cloth and save. 
Add remaining oil in a pan, the other garlic clove, dry peperoncino, salt and pepper.
After few seconds, add the washed broccoli florets and cover.  Cook until tender. 
Add the clams and juice to the broccoli.
In a pot, cook the spaghetti. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and reserve some pasta water.
Add the broccoli, clams and chopped parsley to the pasta and mix well.