"Spicy Fusilli Recipe" by Chloe P

“How to make Spicy Fusilli” by Chloe Pacle

 

The beginning of quarantine has led me to discover and try out new recipes I usually wouldn’t make. Thanks to social media, I have been able to attempt new and fun recipes that range from desserts to main courses. With all the extra time I had stuck in the house, I was able to distinguish which recipes were worth trying. This Spicy Fusilli recipe is still, to this day, one of my favorites. I originally saw this pasta in Gigi Hadid’s Instagram story, where she cooked it for her and Zayn Malik. You know this pasta is good if Zayn likes it, and if that’s not a good enough reason to give it a try then I don't know what is. This recipe was inspired by the famous “Jon & Vinny’s Spicy Fusilli” that everyone raves over. There were many positive reviews about this restaurant, especially about the Spicy Fusilli. Many people were willing to wait in line outside for this pasta which says a lot, considering the fact that it was in the beginning of lockdown and everyone was paranoid about catching Covid. If people were willing to catch the virus for this pasta, it was only right for me to try it as well. I was very curious and wanted to see what the hype was about. Instead of struggling to get reservations, especially during these uncertain times, I decided to attempt to make my own Spicy Fusilli. A lot of the process was trial and error. I’ve made this pasta several times and received feedback from my family and friends on what ingredients I should add and remove. I narrowed down the recipe to fulfill mine and my family’s stomachs. My altered recipe of the original Spicy Fusilli has allowed me to express my love and appreciation for those around me and brings me joy to see my family thrilled about the dish. Many of my friends get excited when I bring this dish for them to eat and share with their family. I hope you guys enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

 

Ingredients:

-       ¼ cup olive oil

-       ½ of a finely chopped shallot

-       1 finely chopped garlic clove

-       ½ cup of tomato paste

-       3 tablespoons of vodka

-       1 cup of heavy cream

-       Crushed red pepper

-       Salt and pepper

-       1 pound of fusilli pasta

-       2 tablespoons of butter

-       Parmesan

-       Basil

-       Oregano

-       Chopped mushrooms

-       Brown sugar

-       Parsley

-       Shredded mozzarella

 

Directions:

1. Add ¼ cup of olive oil to a large skillet on medium heat.
2. Add shallot and garlic to the pan and stir for about 5 minutes.
3. Add ½ cup of tomato paste to the pan and stir until caramelized. The color of the paste should be a dark red when it’s ready.
4. Add 3 tablespoons of vodka and stir until the liquid has evaporated. No, this pasta will not get you drunk because the alcohol is cooked off and that is why it’s important to wait until all the liquid has evaporated. Be sure to let your parents know that the vodka is for cooking purposes only so they won’t be suspicious of you taking their bottle of Ciroc!!!
5. Add 1 cup of heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Stir until blended. You can add as much red pepper flakes as you want, depending how spicy you want the dish to be.
6. Add as many chopped mushrooms as you desire.
7. In a separate pot, boil fusilli pasta until al dente.
8. Drain the pasta and leave 1 cup of the pasta water to the side.
9. Add pasta to the large skillet with the sauce.
10. Cook over medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter.
11. Stir while adding the pasta water.
12. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
13. Add basil, oregano, parsley, and parmesan. I usually just eyeball the measurements for this part and taste until I get the desired flavor.
14. Add brown sugar if the pasta ends up being too salty or sour. This is great for balancing out those overwhelming flavors. Start off with 1 tablespoon and add more until you are satisfied with the results.
15. Plate the pasta, top it off with shredded mozzarella and parsley, and serve.

 

I cannot stress enough how obsessed I was with this pasta. It was so easy to make and tastes like a dish from a fancy Italian restaurant, except you aren’t paying $30 for 4 pieces of noodles. And if you don’t trust my judgement, trust Zayn and Gigi’s!!!