"Fast" slow food...

One of the ultimate luxuries about living in Italy is the focus they put on the family.  This translates to many parts of the lifestyle, but one of my most favourite and cherished is the culture of the 1 1/2 hour lunchtime...

Pranzare.

I am lucky enough to enjoy this part of the Italian culture namely because we live so near to where Henry works, but just having the opportunity to share it really is something special.  

Although an hour and a half sounds like a lot in comparison to what we would get in America (Hello, sandwich at desk.) it is not enough to make a huge "spettacolo" of it all...one must keep it simple and easy.  

Think "fast food" - now take away any burgers, wraps, chips, or drive throughs - if you think you are not left with many options, you are super mistaken! 

The old standby luchtime dish for my dear husband...

Aglio, Olio, Pepperoncino
Garlic, Oil, Chili pepper.

 The simplicity of this dish is what makes it so very good...

Start with two or three cloves of garlic per person (if you like garlic as we do, even more!)

Heat a good amount of olive oil.  Not to frying temperature, just enough to lightly cook the garlic.

Meanwhile, grate the cloves finely (the best taste comes from grating them...or putting them through a press)

Turn down the heat slightly and toss in the grated garlic.  

You want to give it a touch of colour, not burn it.  

While it's slowly cooking, smash up a couple of dried chilis in a pestle and mortar and toss these in with the garlic (adjust to your favourite level of spiciness of course!).  

Turn off the heat once it all has been loving it up in the pan for a bit and let it rest while making the pasta.   

Remember to salt the cooking water only once it has come up to boil, this helps the taste of the pasta and saves you from having to add more salt later on.

After draining, toss it in the pan with the olive oil and garlic mixture and serve it up...

All said and done this dish can be made in a maximum of 15 minutes.  

Fast Food...Italian Style.