About the Recipe
This is a very basic pasta recipe. The starchy pasta water helps form a sauce when combined with the olive oil. Meats and vegetables can be added to the pot prior to adding the pasta, if desired.
Ingredients
1 box pasta of choice
1 head of garlic, peeled
2-3 anchovies (optional)
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Cheese (optional)
Parsley (optional)
Preparation
Bring a large pot of water to a boil; heavily salt the water
While the water is coming to a boil, evenly divide the cloves of garlic
Keep 1/3 of the cloves whole
Thinly slice 1/3
Finely chop or mince the final 1/3
Finely chop the anchovies
Add the pasta to the water and cook until al dente (cooking time depends on pasta)
Strain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid
Put ~1/4 cup olive oil into the now empty pot and turn the heat to medium
Add the whole garlic cloves and cook until golden brown (~5 minutes)
Remove the whole garlic cloves and reserve for topping later
Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook until beginning to brown (~3-5 minutes)
Add the minced garlic and anchovies, stir briefly, then add the pasta water and pasta
Stir for 3-5 minutes
Turn off heat and add grated cheese (parmesan/pecorino is ideal) if desired, stirring to combine
Season with salt/pepper (you will probably not need much salt)
Dice whole fried garlic cloves and scatter on top of pasta
Top with chopped parsley if desired