Oil Dressed Pasta

 

 Recently I had this salivating craving for pasta dressed with oil. It's not over powered by a marinara or cream sauce. The oil acts as a saucy medium and helps intensify the natural flavors for the vegetables and herbs you use. Simplicity is key, it only takes a few good components to snazzily dress a dish.

Ingredients: pasta of your choice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms, cilantro, grated parmesan, meats/fish

Salt your boiling water. Grab a hand ful of pasta, makes 4-6 servings depending on your palm size.

Drain when al dente. Reserve some of that boiling liquid. About a cupful.

 

In a saucepan on medium heat, pour in about 1/3 cup of oil

 If you are like myself and enjoy heat in every meal, throw in some dried chili flakes.

Sliced white mushrooms, don't have to cook them down because textures are good.

I used both shrimp and squid

Stir that right in

Lastly, the garlic, tomatoes, cilantro and other seasonings last. Just long enough to heat up the tomatoes.

In come the noodles, may be sticky, pour in liquid.

Sprinkle on some parmesan and enjoy!