Garlic Knot Spaghetti
+ Soda Bread Recipes for St. Patrick's Day
With everything spinning out of control, or at least feeling that way, these days, a simple meal goes a long way in soothing my anxiety. This dish is barely a recipe, though I’ve written it as one for anyone insistent on some guidance. It’s more classically known as spaghetti aglio e olio, spaghetti with garlic and oil. Every Italian I knew growing up in Brooklyn ate this as a child. It’s an inexpensive, fast meal to make, with ingredients you already likely have in the pantry.
While making it for lunch last week, it occurred to me this pasta has garlic knot vibes with the oil and flurry of finely grated Pecorino cheese that gets piled on top before serving. I doctored it up a bit by adding some butter to the skillet, and crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy punch. I longed for fresh chopped parsley but had just used up the bunch in the crisper bin—it’s listed in the ingredients as optional so add it or don’t add it if you prefer.
A trick from my days of parenting little ones is that food is sometimes better received when it has a more enticing title. My kids would be more eager to inhale a bowl of garlic knot spaghetti than pasta with garlic & oil—it’s SEO for kids, basically. We ate this as-is growing up, but you can also add some chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.
You won’t be wowing anyone with this pasta, but it’s comforting, and considering the shock and awe happening on an hourly basis in the news, as we ponder the future of our democracy, and our standing in the world beyond our borders, maybe a simple, predictable, comforting meal is exactly what we need at the end of the day.
Monday is St. Patrick’s Day, and I’d remiss in not sharing, or reminding, you of the collection of soda bread recipes in my archives. What we call soda bread in the U.S. is a far cry from soda bread in Ireland, nonetheless I find it a great starter bread for those wanting to try their hand at bread baking that doesn’t require yeast. Be well, and remember to be kind. —xo, j.
Raisin Soda Bread Scones
I’m the only soda bread lover in my house at the moment. That’s what inspired me to make this small-batch scone recipe three years ago. They’re definitely on my must-bake list this weekend. Click here to get the recipe (exclusively for paid subscribers).
Buckwheat Oat Soda Bread
A slightly heartier version of my Oat Soda Bread recipe thanks to the addition of buckwheat flour. Click here to get the recipe for free on my old site with ads.
Oat Soda Bread
This is the very first soda bread I made 14 years ago, a riff on a recipe from Heidi Swanson, of 101 Cookbooks fame. You can find the recipe here without ads, or on my old site here for free with ads.