I think one dish that everyone should have in their repertoire is the good ol' tomato spaghetti! I love that a classic tomato spaghetti is great anytime of the year, and that you can add any seasonal ingredients of your choice. Once you have the basic recipe down, you can play around with a variety of combinations and flavors. Garlic and basil I believe are a must in tomato spaghetti, but I usually like to add a few slices of red or green chile pepper to add a kick to it. I also add whatever else I have on hand like bacon or mushrooms, or another one of my favorite combos is baby spinach and crumbled goat cheese. As the goat cheese melts, it adds a pleasant creaminess to the dish that goes perfectly with the tangy tomato sauce. Feel free to come up with your own mix of ingredients!
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spaghetti alla carbonara
This is one of the most popular pasta dishes (who doesn't love bacon, eggs, garlic, and cheese?) that looks, tastes, and sounds impressive but can be a cinch to make with just a bit of practice! The key step here is the mixing of the raw eggs into the pasta-- you don't want the eggs to be scrambled, but rather develop into a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the noodles, giving them a beautiful texture. You may choose to omit the omit the parsley or add a different herb of your choice. Once you have the basics down, feel free to make your own variations-- some versions include cream, mushrooms, peas, etc.
Read Moreketchup spaghetti (케찹 스파케티) + food in korea pt. 1
This was one of my favorite foods growing up in Korea. My mom would make this at home, without the pasta (so it was more of a sausage stir-fry with peppers and onions), but I remember having it often at restaurants. I believe that the dish is originally Japanese, and also called "Naporitan." Supposedly a chef of the New Grand Hotel in Yokohama created this when he was inspired by one of the military rations in the 1950s. It's a very popular dish today in both Japan and Korea, and especially appeals to the palates of children and the younger generation. Hope you enjoy it!
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