Simple red sauce penne pasta...in garlic infused oil

A very simple red sauce pasta for a lazy evening can be so comforting. Made this to ward off a rainy day lazy feeling. I was so reluctant to get up and go to the kitchen to make dinner. We had to make something so we ended up deciding to make pasts for the night. I did not want to sweat out a lot in the kitchen when everybody was lazily lying on the couch and ground to be comfortable. It was not just that day... I feel lazy every time it rains outside :) The cold weather, the dark clouds and the sound of rain makes me just sit and relax rather than getting into the kitchen 

This recipe is so quick to make yet spicy and aromatic that you will not feel like putting down your fork till you are done with the last bite. I havent used any extra vegetables here but you can just go ahead and add veggies of your choice

Serves... 4 ppl

Serve option... Hot

This is what u'll need...

Tomato - 2 medium
Red chilli flakes - 1 tspn
Garlic cloves - 4 
Mixed herbs - 1/2 tspn
Penne pasta - 2 cups
Oil - 1 tbspn
Pepper to taste
Salt to taste

Here is the stir.... 

• Measure 2 cups of penne pasta and cook it al-dente as per package instructions

• Drain the water and set it aside. Reserve a little water to use if you feel that the pasta is very dry in the end

• Roughly chop the tomatoes and stash them into a mixie jar.  Grind this to a fine puree

• To a non stick pan add a tablespoon of oil. Smash 4-5 big garlic cloves using the flat side of your knife. Add this crushed garlic to the oil

• Saute this for a few seconds in oil on a low flame. The oil will get all the flavours of the garlic which we will be using in the sauce

• Once the garlic starts changing a little colour remove it from oil. You can leave it in the oil and go ahead with the next step. I have really picky eaters who would stop eating just because the garlic clove would have ended up in their plate

• To the same pan add a teaspoon of red chilli flakes. Just toss for a few seconds. Make sure the oil is not too hot when adding the chilli flakes else it will start fuming

• Pour the tomato puree into the pan

• Add salt and pepper as per your taste

• Keep stirring and let the tomatoes cook on low flame. After a few minutes you will see that the water has started evaporating and oil is seen around the corners

• You can add couple of tablespoons of cream at this time but I havent

• Toss in the cooked penne into the pan

• Sprinkle 1/2  a teaspoon of mixed herbs on the pasta. Give it a quick toss so that the spices are evenly coated all over the pasta

• Transfer it to a plate or bowl

• Serve hot garnished with a little grated cheese

Note:

• Dont dry the tomato puree too much else it taste too sour
• Adjust spices to suit your taste
• Adding cream will change the flavours. It tastes good too but I havent added it here