| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 590 | 22g | 4g | 82g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 6g | 18g | 1.2g |
I’m delighted to share one of my personal favorites with you all: a hearty, aromatic, and oh-so-delicious Spicy Paracress Pasta. Birthed from my sunny Californian kitchen, this recipe is a magnificent medley of wholesome vegetables sautéed in flavorsome spices, tossed with classic spaghetti pasta, and dressed up with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
More than Just a Tasty Meal
Besides being absolute food for the soul, this homey Spicy Paracress Pasta is brimming with numerous health incentives. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, the paracress or ‘toothache plant’ uplifts this dish to a health-conscious foodie’s dream, providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Incorporating the freshness of tomatoes, bell peppers and onions not only gives this dish a delightful crunch and a vibrant splash of colors but also another nutrient boost alongside a good dose of antioxidants.
Inspired by West Coast Living
Being a die-hard Californian, my love for using fresh, local ingredients has always influenced my culinary creations. This pasta recipe, for instance, very much embodies the spirit of West Coast health-consciousness. The ingredients are simple, fresh, and easily available, making it a perfect meal for any day of the week. The addition of chillies, both fresh and dried, mirror California’s love for a spicy kick, while the garlic-infused olive oil is reminiscent of the classic Italian flavors that many American dishes have lovingly adopted.
This Spicy Paracress Pasta dish easily holds its own as a delicious main course. Yet, it can also be paired beautifully with a nice California-Mediterranean inspired chicken dish or a hearty Classic Caesar Salad. And, to capture the full dining essence of California’s wine country, why not pair your plate with a refreshing local white, maybe a suave Sauvignon Blanc?
In essence, this Spicy Paracress Pasta captures everything I am as a cook: it’s bursting with flavor, it honors my West Coast roots by using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and it marries well with a myriad of dishes. A heartwarming serving of America on a plate, right from my kitchen to yours. Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
- 400 g of spaghetti pasta
- 2 cups of fresh paracress leaves
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 green chilies, finely sliced
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Method
Step One
Start by boiling a pot of water with a dash of salt. Once the water is at a rolling boil, add the spaghetti pasta and cook it as per the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
Step Two
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion and diced red bell pepper to the pan and sauté until the vegetables become tender and start to brown slightly.
Step Three
Add the chopped tomatoes and finely sliced green chilies to the frying pan and continue sautéing until the tomatoes break down and form a nice sauce.
Step Four
Pour in the vegetable broth into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue to cook until the broth has reduced by about half.
Step Five
Now, add the fresh paracress leaves to the pan, stirring them in until they start to wilt. Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
Step Six
Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan and toss everything together using tongs, making sure all the pasta is coated in the sauce.
Step Seven
Just before serving, sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil leaves over the pasta. Serve the Spicy Paracress Pasta hot with lemon wedges on the side.
