Spaghetti-a-Pollo Recipe

This is a much loved variety of spaghetti that I developed over time.

After learning the basics from my mother, as all Italian boys do, I branched out and experimented with chicken and was surprised at the results. You’ll Need:

·                                A Saucepan

·                                Olive Oil

·                                Garlic

·                                Peeled Tomatoes

·                                Chicken pieces

·                                Spices

·                                Large Pot

·                                Spaghetti

Step1

Add olive oil about 1/8 inch deep to the saucepan. Dice a couple cloves of garlic and place them into the saucepan with the oil. Place the saucepan on the hotplate and set it to High. Watch it and stir slowly until the garlic begins to turn brown.

Step2

Turn heat down to 3/4 and add the chicken pieces, and stir them around until they lose all their colour.

Step3

Add 2 cans of peeled tomatoes, Stir it all with the chicken and turn up the heat until you bring the mixture to the boil. Turn the heat down again to 3/4.

Step4

Now add any spices, salt, that you would like to add flavour, to taste, in the cooking. My staples are, Parsley, Basil, Italian Herbs. The supermarket has whole sections of herbs and spices to choose from, but only use those that will complement the chicken flavour. Stir the herbs and spices in and then turn the heat down to a simmer.

Step5

If the chicken had not been boned you can remove it when it is cooked and bone it and replace the meat in the saucepan. Or you can serve the chicken with the bones.

Step6

Fill a pot with water abd bring it to a boil adding salt and a dash olive oil. Once the water is boiling add the spaghetti. If it is the dry type, eg Barilla etc. boil for approximately 12 minutes. Stir it occasionally to prevent sticking but the olivce oil in the water should do this also. Start testing it for 'Al Dente' consistency, to taste, at around 11 mins. If you use the flat Tagliatelli spaghetti the boil time is shorter, as before test by tasting after 5 minutes until cooked.

Step7

Drain the cooked spaghetti in a colander and place it in a large serving bowl. Add about 2/3 of the previously simmering sauce with the chicken and stir/toss it through thoroughly. Add cheese to taste and pour the remaining sauce over the top of the spaghetti. One packet of Spaghetti normally serves 4 people. Buon Appetito.

Tips:

·                                 Serve it with wine as an added cultural experience.

·                                 Be careful not to over boil the spaghetti as it will become too soft and mushy.