Pasta with garlic & olive oil
4 servings
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | eaches | Garlic cloves | 
| ½ | cup | Olive oil | 
| 1 | pounds | Spaghetti | 
| Salt & pepper | ||
Directions
VERSION 1: With raw garlic: Combine the the garlic with the olive oil. 
Cook the pasta until it is *al dente*, then drain & toss with the garlic & olive oil.  Season well & serve immediately. 
VERSION 2: With lightly toasted golden garlic: Heat the garlic in the olive oil until golden.  Remove from the heat & set aside.  Cook the pasta until *al dente*, then drain & toss with the garlic.  Season & serve immediately.
VARIATIONS USING VERSION 2: Add a generous pinch of hot red pepper flakes as you heat the garlic.  Toss with the cooked pasta & a handful or two of chopped fresh parsley. 
Prepare the basic recipe, adding parsley as above.  Season with lots of cayenne pepper & toss with the finely grated rind of 1 lime & the juice of 1 or 2 limes.  Also good with lemon. 
Add several teaspoonfuls of capers to the hot pepper variation. 
Add a small handful of torn basil leaves to the oil as you heat the garlic.
Coarsely chop half a head or so of white cabbage & add to the pan along with the heating garlic & hot red pepper flakes.  Saute until tender & slightly browned.  Add more oil, garlic & red pepper if needed.  Season & toss with pasta of your choice.