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The dish Spaghetti all'assassina stands out as a remarkable Italian creation with a totally different cooking approach. These "killer spaghetti" from Bari aren't boiled first—they go straight into the sauce and cook like risotto. This weird method gives them an amazing texture and strong flavor. Though it breaks pasta-making rules, it's still a genuine Italian dish that'll wow your dinner guests.
What Makes Assassin's Spaghetti Special
What you'll love about this meal is how the rich tomato flavor mingles with spicy chili and a touch of garlic. It's super easy to make, completely vegan, and needs just a handful of quality items. Cooking it in a pan creates those tasty charred bits that make the pasta irresistible. It works great for hanging out with friends or when you want to cook something different for a special night.
What You'll Need
- Spaghetti: 400 g, try using spaghetti alla chitarra for the best charred results.
- Tomato paste: 3 tbsp, triple concentrated stuff gives you the strongest flavor.
- Crushed tomatoes: 400 g, San Marzano ones taste sweetest if you can find them.
- Olive oil: 50 ml, get good Italian or Greek oil for better flavor.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, chopped small for lots of flavor.
- Red chili: 1–2 pieces, finely chopped, adjust based on how hot you want it.
- Water: 500 ml, warm, for cooking the pasta through.
- Salt: However much tastes good to you.
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How To Cook It
- Getting everything ready
- Grab all your stuff. Chop up the garlic and slice the chili really thin.
- Starting the flavor base
- Heat up the olive oil in a big pan. Throw in garlic and chili until they smell good but don't let them turn brown.
- Adding tomato paste
- Drop the tomato paste into the pan and cook it a bit to bring out more flavor.
- Putting in dry pasta
- Toss the uncooked spaghetti right into the pan and mix until they're covered with the tomato mix.
- Cooking like you would risotto
- Slowly pour warm water onto the spaghetti, stir often, until pasta is cooked but still firm. You want just a little liquid left.
- Final touches before eating
- Add salt to taste and serve straight from the pan. Throw on some fresh herbs if you want.
Ways To Make It Taste More Real
To nail the true taste of assassin's spaghetti, don't skimp on your ingredients. Good Italian olive oil and ripe San Marzano tomatoes really make it pop. Cook it in a stainless steel or iron pan without coating to get those tasty burnt bits. Make sure you eat it hot off the stove to catch all the flavors at their best.
Where This Dish Came From
Folks in Bari, Puglia created assassin's spaghetti about 60 years ago, and it's now a standout dish from that area. While it doesn't follow the normal pasta cooking rules, it's earned its spot in Italian food culture. These days people see it as a sign of thinking outside the box when it comes to cooking.
Finding The Right Pan
You can't just use any old pan for assassin's spaghetti. Your best bet is something uncoated like stainless steel or cast iron since they can handle high heat and will brown your pasta evenly. This cooking style creates those yummy burnt flavors that make the dish special. If you only have a non-stick pan, that works too, but keep the heat a bit lower.
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Versatile Killer Spaghetti For Any Time
This pasta works for everyday meals but can also shine when you've got company. Whether you're cooking for a date night, having friends over, or want to surprise dinner guests, assassin's spaghetti gets attention because of how differently it's made and how flavorful it tastes. Since it needs so few ingredients, you can whip it up easily no matter what the occasion.
Great Side Dishes To Go With It
Assassin's spaghetti stands strong on its own but tastes even better with simple sides. Try a fresh arugula salad topped with parmesan and balsamic dressing. Some toasted bread with garlic butter works great too for soaking up that tasty sauce. Pour a glass of dry red wine and you've got yourself a real Italian dining experience.
Earth-Friendly Ingredient Choices
You can make this dish better for the planet by grabbing local, in-season stuff when possible. Look for organic tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. With olive oil too, try to find brands that care about how they make their products. These choices don't just help the environment—they make your food taste way better too.
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Adjusting Heat And Flavor
You can make this dish as mild or fiery as you want. Just add more or less chili depending on what you like. For extra kick, try a bit of smoked paprika or fresh herbs like basil or oregano. Just watch the balance between heat, sweetness and tang so everything tastes good together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why do you fry spaghetti in a skillet?
- Frying makes those crunchy edges and brings out a deeper flavor.
- → What’s the best pan for this?
- Stainless steel or iron pans work way better than nonstick ones since you need stronger heat.
- → What’s the deal with the tomato water?
- It helps cook the pasta slowly and adds more flavor as you pour it in while cooking.