Spaghetti al Chianti

Spaghetti al Chianti is a recipe not typical of the Italian tradition, but we can create an intriguing variant that incorporates red wine into the preparation of the dish for a unique touch of flavor and color. Here’s how you might prepare them.

Ingredients

• 350 g of spaghetti
• 1 bottle of Chianti (you will use about 2 glasses for the recipe)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Preparation

1. In a large pan, fry the garlic cloves in the extra virgin olive oil until golden brown, then remove them from the pan.
2. Add the Chianti wine to the pan and let it reduce over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or until it is halved, making sure to stir occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti al dente, following the package directions.
4. Once the wine has reduced and the spaghetti is cooked, drain the spaghetti and add them to the pan with the reduced wine. Raise the heat to toss and mix the spaghetti with the wine for 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve immediately, adding a pinch of black pepper, chopped parsley, and, if desired, a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese.

Trivia

Chianti is a red wine from Tuscany that is often used in cooking for the preparation of sauces and stews. In this case, it gives a unique flavor to the spaghetti, which also take on an intense red color. The use of wine in pasta is an unconventional culinary variation that can add a touch of creativity to your cooking. Remember, though, that the quality of the wine affects the outcome of the dish, so choose a good quality Chianti.