RED WINE SPAGHETTI WITH BLACK PEPPER PARMESAN CRISPS

Since pasta and red wine are key ingredients to any romantic meal, I figured this was the perfect time to finally share this easy recipe. If you can boil water (I know you can!), you can make this Red Wine Spaghetti with Black Pepper Parmesan Crisps. And the color! If this doesn’t say Valentine’s Day, I don’t know what does.

The recipe makes two hearty, main meal-sized portions. So all you need is a salad, a crusty baguette and some extra wine for drinking and you’re good to go. We’re keeping it simple and we’re saving room for dessert. Obviously.

Ingredients

For the Parmesan Crisps
1/2 cup grated or finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. black pepper
For the Pasta
8 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced shallot
2 garlic cloves, mined
2 cups red wine (I used a Zinfandel)
2 tablespoons fresh basil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Extra Parmesan cheese for serving, if desired

Instructions

Make the Parmesan crisps. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and the black pepper. Divide the Parmesan into four small piles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them a couple inches apart from each other. Transfer to your pre-heated oven and bake for 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool. Once cooled, use a metal spatula to gently release the crisps from the parchment paper.
Meanwhile, make the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 6 minutes. Drain the spaghetti and set aside. Return the pot to the stove and place it over medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic and shallot. Cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the red wine and bring it to a boil. Add the spaghetti back to the pot and cook it in the red wine for 4 minutes, tossing occasionally with tongs during this time. Remove the pot from the heat. There will be a small amount of liquid left. Cover the pot and let the spaghetti sit in the remaining liquid for 3-5 minutes.
While the spaghetti is resting, make the herb garnish. Place the basil, parsley and thyme together in a small pile on a cutting board. Using a knife, mince the herbs until they are very finely chopped.
Serve the pasta. Using tongs, divide the spaghetti evenly between two bowl. Sprinkle with the minced herbs and then garnish each bowl with two of the Parmesan crisps. Enjoy immediately.