Cooking this tonight reminded me of sneaking bites from my grandma’s garden—tiny hands pulling basil leaves, still warm from the sun. No fancy ingredients, just that sharp rush of green and peppery smell spreading through the kitchen. I didn’t plan on making anything complicated, especially not now. But honestly, that aroma? It hits differently. It’s the kind of simple thing that feels like an unexpected secret—fresh basil crushed with garlic, olive oil turning practically syrupy, tangled in hot pasta. No frills, no fuss. Just this hit of summer in your mouth, even if it’s the dead of winter. Maybe it’s the season, or maybe I just needed a break from heavy sauces. Either way, it makes you forget all your “must-do” list for a second. Because sometimes, the best meals are the ones you don’t overthink.
Garlic Basil Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Meanwhile, peel the garlic cloves and crush or finely chop them. Rinse the basil leaves and pat dry. Use a mortar and pestle or garlic press to gently mash the garlic with half of the basil until fragrant; set aside.200 g spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once warm, add the crushed garlic and basil mixture. Sauté gently until the garlic is just golden and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.200 g spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic basil oil. Toss continuously to coat the pasta evenly, allowing the oil to cling to each strand and the herbs to infuse into the noodles. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.200 g spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Season with salt to taste, and if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Toss once more to combine everything thoroughly. Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil leaves if desired.200 g spaghetti or pasta of choice
It’s strange how a handful of basil and a few minutes can make a meal feel more real. Like I stumbled into something honest and simple—free of pretenses but full of flavor. Sounds goofy, I know. But after a busy day, this is enough. Maybe even more than enough.