Peppery Pasta

Crushed Red Pepper Oil (from Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks)

• 1/2 cup Olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes

1. Heat oil in pan over medium heat until hot, but not smoking. Turn off heat and stir in red pepper flakes.
2. Let cool. Pour into a clean bottle. Flavor will intensify as it sits.

Pasta and Arugula

• 3 cups Arugula
• 1 cup Fettucine, or other long pasta.
• 2 tablespoons Basil, fresh, sliced into thin strips
• 1 teaspoon Oregano, fresh, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup Tomatoes, oven roasted, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan, grated
• 2 tablespoons Crushed Red Pepper Oil (see above)

1. Pile arugula on a plate and drizzle with a tablespoon of the red pepper oil. Let sit while the pasta is boiling. Prepare pasta until al dente.
2. In a small separate bowl, mix tomatoes, garlic, basil, and oregano with about 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper oil. Mix well and let flavors co-mingle.
3. When pasta is finished cooking, place atop arugula. Top pasta with tomato-basil mixture. Drizzle the last 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper oil over pasta.
4. Sprinkle with Parmesan and toss well. The heat from the pasta will wilt the arugula just enough. It's peppery bite after peppery bite between the greens and the oil.