Pasta with Garlic and Chilli Oil, Anchovies, Mushrooms and Basil

Recipe sourced: ~ Mr. Saravanakkumar Shanmugam via The Star

Ingredients:

170g spaghetti or spaghettini

6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

200g button mushrooms, sliced

8 large cloves garlic, sliced

2 medium dried chillies, seeds removed, chopped

3 large anchovy fillets, chopped

1 tbsp capers

2 large cloves garlic, minced

a pinch chilli flakes

Salt and black pepper, to taste

15 Basil Leaves, torn

Method:

Place the pasta into a pot of boiling salted water and cook till al dente, according to packet instructions.  Remove and drain the pasta.

Set aside 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Place 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a pan and saute mushrooms for about 5 minutes, until slightly browned and liquid has evaporated.  Remove from heat and set aside.

In a pan set low heat, add the remaining olive oil and fry the sliced garlic and dried chillies, stirring occasionally until fragrant.

Add the anchovies and capers and continue stirring, till the anchovies disintegrate.

Add in the minced garlic and chilli flakes and continue frying for about a minute.

Then add the cooked pasta, mushrooms and reserved pasta water.

Cook briefly, stirring till water evaporates.

Season to taste, then remove from heat.

Mix the basil leaves into the pasta and serve immediately.