The Aglio Olio is a wonderful and flexible italian dish that is customisable and so very easy to prepare and cook! I usually love to cook with bacon and olives as they are extremely flavourful and aromatic. As for the pasta, you can practically use any kind, so try to your hearts content!
Aglio Olio with Bacon
Ingredients:
You may wish to cut down the portions if you prefer a serving that is lesser. This is for around 4 pax.
1. 2 Packets of Bacon
2. 1 Packet of Pasta of your choice.
3. Seedless Olives.
4. Olive Oil
5. 2tsp minced garlic.
6. Salt
7. One or some chilli padi. (Optional for spice)
Instructions:
1. Cut the bacon into 1 inch slices. Place them into a container and set aside until ready to cook.
2. You can usually use as much olives as you like but as for me, i usually use around 30 olives from a single bottle.
Tip: The fastest and easiest way is to use a pair of chopsticks while keeping the preserved water with the remaining olives!
3. Use a knife to gently press them flat. This will help with the mincing.
4. Mince the olives finely, then set aside.
5. Prepare a wok or pot of boiling water. Only when the water is boiling, add in the pasta with 2tbs of salt. Let it cook for around 15-20mins but it should still be relatively firm and have no powdery residue. Do not overcook as the softer it gets, the easier to break later.
Tip: Feel free to pick individual small pieces to chew from time to time.
6. Strain the pasta well, and make sure to add 2tbs olive oil as you toss to prevent them from sticking together.
7. Set aside when done.
8. When starting to cook, heat up preferably a non-stick pan/wok.
9. First add in the cut bacon and stir fry with big fire.
10.
The aroma will be amazing, and you should see the juice from the bacon seeping and turning into oil.
Continue to fry the bacon until brown with oil.
11. Add in the 2tsp minced garlic and stir and mix well for a few mins. You can also add in a little more olive oil to your liking if it appears too dry.
12. Add in the minced olives and stir and mix well.
13. Then add in the cooked pasta and stir fry and mix well. Ensure that the pasta is thoroughly coated with bacon, olives and oils. Do this for around 10mins.
14. Then, season with 3tsp fine salt and a pinch of msg to taste. For those who like a little spiciness, you can add a little chilli at this point. Mix well.
15. Finally transfer the pasta into a rice pot to keep warm until serving. It is done!