Recently I'm hooked on the Korean Drama Series, "Pasta (in love)" . With an Italian restuarant in Seoul as the background, it's a story about an aspiring woman working her way up with the goal of becoming a true chef. Of course, romance some how found its way into the story line, making it a winning combination for me, Food + Love = DIE DIE MUST WATCH!!
I will crave for pasta everytime I watched an episode. So, yesterday, I decided to make the very simple Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (Pasta in Olive Oil and Garlic), which happens to be the very first dish that the lead actress has mastered in the drama series. I've added bacon to my recipe as I believe the fragrant bacon fats will enhance the taste of the dish. ^_^
Simply fried some bacon strips in good quality olive oil till slightly crispy, add in minced garlic and fresh chopped chili. Then add in cooked spaghetti and seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Voila!
I never like crowded places especially during Christmas Eve. Hence, instead of going to restaurant and paying exorbitant prices for our dinner, I decided to cook today. Plus the cool rainy weather, what's nicer than a warm home cooked food eaten in front of the TV right?:)
I have been a fan of Jamie Oliver and has bought quite a no. of his recipe books. I like to browse through his books and marvel at the delicious looking pictures. Most of his recipes are no fuss, simple to follow.
For tonight, I decided to cook his "Crispy & Sticky Chicken Thighs with squashed new Potatoes & Tomatoes". This is a simple tray-baked dish as everything cooks in one tray, hence less wash up later :D
Anyway, for those who is interested, the recipe is as follows:
Serves 4 800g new potatoes sea salt & freshly ground pepper 12 boned chicken thighs, skinned on olive oil 600g cherry tomatoes (I only managed to get yellow cherry tomatoes, red will be better for colour contrast) a bunch of fresh oregano leaves (I've used dried oregano flakes) extra virgin olive oil red wine vinegar (I've used sushi rice vinegar)
(Method) -Cooked potatoes in salted boiling water till cooked -preheat oven 200 degree -cut thigh into 3 strips, rub salt, pepper & olive oil all over meat -heat large frying pan and put chicken into the pan, skin side down. Toss and fry for 10 mins until almost cooked. Remove fr pan. - Peeled tomatoes (optional). -Mix olive oil, pinch of salt, pepper, oregano and red wine vinegar in a bowl -Add meat, potatoes and tomatoes and toss together with mixture above. -Put in roasting tray and bake for 40 mins till golden brown.
Here is a picture of our dinner tonight. I served it with salad and some chardonnay. MW cleans up his plates in minutes! Yummy :D
