Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

In a pot of salted boiling water (1tbsp salt per 1 liter water), cook spaghetti until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than the package directs). Reserve pasta cooking water.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons oil and garlic. Add pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat until garlic is very lightly golden, about 5 minutes. (Adjust heat as necessary to keep it gently sizzling.)

Transfer pasta to saucepan along with 2 tbsp pasta water, increase heat to high, and cook, stirring and tossing rapidly, until a creamy, emulsified sauce forms. Remove from heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and stir well to combine. Mix in chopped parsley and serve right away.

This pasta dish is easily modified to different sauces. This includes adding chopped bacon during step 2; adding a splash of white wine and clams; adding halved cherry tomatoes, anchovies and basil; adding sliced mushrooms and truffle oil etc.