Sometimes, we mothers run out of ideas on what to cook on some days. Especially, on lazy days.
On lazy days, one may not be up for cooking fancy or look forward to troublesome dishes. However, when the majority vote does not favour an order-in or instant noodles, here's what you can whip up, easily & quickly and yessss...... very fancily too.
As this is good to be eaten, when served hot from the pan or eaten cold, it is a filling quick-fix-meal even for recess or after school lunches. If you fancy bento lunches for your children, you can add a side serving of salad or potatoes (whipped, mashed, baked or grilled) and another side of crunchy fruits.
Here's sharing how to whip up the quickie, Spaghetti Aglio Olio .
INGREDIENTS
(1) Choice of pasta
(2) Prawns
(3) Large onions
(4) Small red onions
(5) Garlic
(6) Parsley flakes
(7) Black pepper
(8) Salt to taste
(9) Chilli padis, because we like ours spiceh…
(1) Choice of pasta
(2) Prawns
(3) Large onions
(4) Small red onions
(5) Garlic
(6) Parsley flakes
(7) Black pepper
(8) Salt to taste
(9) Chilli padis, because we like ours spiceh…
STEP 1
Boil your choice of pasta into a saucepan. Drizzle 1 or 2 table spoons of olive oil and add a few pinches of salt. Drain the pasta after 8 to 10 minutes of boiling and save the pasta water.
STEP 2
For fancier-styled prawns, peel off the shell in the middle, leaving the head and tail intact. If you don't so much fancy a full-bodied-flavour of prawns, wash the insides of the prawns' heads under small running water as per the picture shown.
STEP 3
Devein the prawns using a knife or scissors, at the top of its body and also the bottom too, if you like. Personal choice.
STEP 4
Rinse your prawnies and set them aside.
Boil your choice of pasta into a saucepan. Drizzle 1 or 2 table spoons of olive oil and add a few pinches of salt. Drain the pasta after 8 to 10 minutes of boiling and save the pasta water.
STEP 2
For fancier-styled prawns, peel off the shell in the middle, leaving the head and tail intact. If you don't so much fancy a full-bodied-flavour of prawns, wash the insides of the prawns' heads under small running water as per the picture shown.
STEP 3
Devein the prawns using a knife or scissors, at the top of its body and also the bottom too, if you like. Personal choice.
STEP 4
Rinse your prawnies and set them aside.
STEP 5
Once all ingredients are prepared, you are ready to whip up your chef-worthy aglio olio. If you like scallops, you can add those in as well. They sell scallops fresh and also frozen.
STEP 6
Drizzle some olive oil on saucepan. Throw in the onion slices and cook till fragrant or if you like, until they caramelize, is okay as well.
STEP 7
Once the aroma of the onion slices fill up your kitchen, add in the small red onions and the garlic. I had both these ingredients blended. It can be minced, sliced or chopped if you prefer. You can omit the small red onions if you want too. I've achieved similar success using just the garlic on its own.
Sautè until all ingredients are evenly mixed and slightly paste-y.
STEP 8
Throw in your prawns, add a dash of salt, black pepper and parsley flakes and cook briefly until they turn pink. Mix the paste-y onion mix until it coats the prawns. At this stage, it will exude immense aroma and totally arouse your senses…..
STEP 6
Drizzle some olive oil on saucepan. Throw in the onion slices and cook till fragrant or if you like, until they caramelize, is okay as well.
STEP 7
Once the aroma of the onion slices fill up your kitchen, add in the small red onions and the garlic. I had both these ingredients blended. It can be minced, sliced or chopped if you prefer. You can omit the small red onions if you want too. I've achieved similar success using just the garlic on its own.
Sautè until all ingredients are evenly mixed and slightly paste-y.
STEP 8
Throw in your prawns, add a dash of salt, black pepper and parsley flakes and cook briefly until they turn pink. Mix the paste-y onion mix until it coats the prawns. At this stage, it will exude immense aroma and totally arouse your senses…..
STEP 9
If you like to add scallops with your pasta, you may fry them earlier according to the texture and done-ness that you like, before you add your prawns and put aside.
If like us, you like your pasta a little on the spicy side, just before throwing in the pasta (next), add in a few sliced chilli padis (small red and/or green chillis) for extra shiok-ness!
STEP 10
After the prawns turn pink, toss in your pasta. In this step, the pasta choice was penne.
Step 11
Add more parsley flakes, black pepper and salt (to taste) to everything in your saucepan and give those things a good toss!
STEP 12
Add white wine or even sherry, to your saucepan.
For those who don't have these, pour in the pasta water, a little bit at a time. Ensure the pasta is firm and soft and not soggy. Once you achieve the texture of pasta you prefer, turn of the fire.
If you like to add scallops with your pasta, you may fry them earlier according to the texture and done-ness that you like, before you add your prawns and put aside.
If like us, you like your pasta a little on the spicy side, just before throwing in the pasta (next), add in a few sliced chilli padis (small red and/or green chillis) for extra shiok-ness!
STEP 10
After the prawns turn pink, toss in your pasta. In this step, the pasta choice was penne.
Step 11
Add more parsley flakes, black pepper and salt (to taste) to everything in your saucepan and give those things a good toss!
STEP 12
Add white wine or even sherry, to your saucepan.
For those who don't have these, pour in the pasta water, a little bit at a time. Ensure the pasta is firm and soft and not soggy. Once you achieve the texture of pasta you prefer, turn of the fire.
Now, you are ready to plate your dish!
You can assemble the prawns in a more aesthetically delicious position or add in some lettuce or salad with light dressing at the side. Me love crunchy vegetables like cucumber, capsicum, lettuce, large onions and the additional corn kernels and tomatoes will surely add to the vibrance in your presentation.
wink emoticon
For a more gourmet feel to your dish, you may wanna dress to impress! Yeah, you can dress up your spaghetti with your freshly cooked pink prawns arranged with their tails up.
Tiger prawns are bigger and will command presence. They also add extra sweeeeet prawny flavour to your dish.For a more gourmet feel to your dish, you may wanna dress to impress! Yeah, you can dress up your spaghetti with your freshly cooked pink prawns arranged with their tails up.
You can assemble the prawns in a more aesthetically delicious position or add in some lettuce or salad with light dressing at the side. Me love crunchy vegetables like cucumber, capsicum, lettuce, large onions and the additional corn kernels and tomatoes will surely add to the vibrance in your presentation.
wink emoticon
For a more gourmet feel to your dish, you may wanna dress to impress! Yeah, you can dress up your spaghetti with your freshly cooked pink prawns arranged with their tails up.
Tiger prawns are bigger and will command presence. They also add extra sweeeeet prawny flavour to your dish.For a more gourmet feel to your dish, you may wanna dress to impress! Yeah, you can dress up your spaghetti with your freshly cooked pink prawns arranged with their tails up.
Tiger prawns are bigger and will command presence. They also add extra sweeeeet prawny flavour to your dish.
Seriously, even if you don't dress them up, this simple-to-whip quick-fix-meal is a looker all on its own. Even with the prawns just strewn all around or arranged at the side, it will looks as appetizing and yes, restaurant worthy.
Try it and update how this managed to impress your family! Cheerios!
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