Some days, the usual meals just lose their appeal. Bored of the repetition, I turned to my pantry in search of inspiration. I craved something comforting yet simple, and pasta felt like the right choice. A quick check in the fridge revealed some ham, and I thought, why not? I also found a bunch of fresh cilantros. I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, but to my surprise, this Ham Pasta in Olive Oil recipe turned into a delicious, satisfying meal. The best part? My husband gave it a big thumb-up! This ham pasta in olive oil recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients:
These ingredients brought a tiring day back to life. Sometimes, less truly is more when trying a new ham pasta in olive oil recipe.
For this dish, I gathered a few staples:
- Pasta (I used spaghetti, but any variety works)
- Slices of ham, thinly cut
- Garlic (chopped)
- Olive oil
- Ground black pepper
- A sprinkle of salt
- Cilantro (finely chopped)
- Optional: Parmesan
Procedure:
Cooking this pasta recipe felt as straightforward as assembling the ingredients themselves. Here’s how I prepared this ham pasta in olive oil recipe:
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
I started by boiling a pot of water with a generous pinch of salt and a splash of cooking oil. As the water reached a rolling boil, I added the spaghetti and cooked it until it reached that perfect al dente texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Ham
While the pasta bubbled away, I sliced the ham into bite-sized pieces, ensuring it would mingle well with the strands of pasta.
Step 3: Toss It All Together
In a large skillet, I heated a few tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil warmed up, I sautéed garlic until it turned golden brown, then added the ham, letting its edges crisp up slightly. The aroma of ham and olive oil filled my kitchen as I drained the pasta, rinsed it briefly with water, and tossed it directly into the skillet. I mixed everything gently to coat every strand.
Step 4: Add Flavor
I seasoned the dish with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Finally, I folded in the cilantro after the pasta had cooked completely.
Optional
It is best served with a side dish of fried sweet plantains (platanos).
The Moment of Truth
As I sat down with my plate of pasta, I felt a sense of accomplishment not because I had created something elaborate, but because I saw how my husband loved it. Each bite offered a delightful combination of salty ham, the richness of olive oil, and the slight flavor of parmesan, making this ham pasta in olive oil recipe a success.
Why This Dish Worked
This pasta dish brought a breath of fresh air to my cooking routine. I loved how simple, quick, and comforting it felt. The absence of heavy sauces kept it light, while the ham and olive oil added just the right amount of indulgence.
Final Thoughts
Cooking doesn’t always require grand recipes or exotic ingredients. Sometimes, rediscovering joy in the basics and finding comfort in what you already have can transform the experience. Preparing pasta with ham in olive oil reminded me of the beauty of simplicity and the power using what is available in your kitchen. This ham pasta in olive oil recipe truly exemplifies that. I had a similar experience when cooking the amazing Chicken Gandules recipe, one of our favorites.
What’s your go-to dish when you feel uninspired in the kitchen? I will start – when I don’t know what to cook, I will default to the mighty chicken afritada, a traditional pinoy recipe. Let me know. I’d love to hear your ideas and try something new the next time I feel stuck staring at my pantry!
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Thank u pinayrican