Greek-Style Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 400 gSpaghetti (dry)
- 1 pcOnion (finely minced)
- 2 pcGarlic (minced)
- 4 tbspExtra virgin olive oil
- 100 mlDry white wine
- 4 pcRound tomato (diced)
- 60 gBlack olive (pitted)
- 1 tspWhole coriander seeds (crushed)
- 1 pcCitrus limon (L.) Burm. f. (juiced)
- 1 pcThyme (whole sprig)
- 1 pcBay leaf
- 1 pinchGray sea salt
- 1 pinchBlack peppercorns (ground)
- 150 gFeta cheese (crumbled)
Method
A vibrant pasta dish where lemon acidity and roasted coriander seeds wake up the palate. Tomatoes melt into a light sauce while olives provide a firm, salty bite.
- 1
Plunge the spaghetti into a large amount of boiling salted water. Cook until al dente: they should offer a slight resistance. Reserve a ladle of cooking water before draining.
- 2
In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Sauté the minced onion and garlic without browning. Add the crushed coriander seeds, thyme, and bay leaf to release the essential oils.
- 3
Deglaze with the dry white wine. Scrape the bottom to release the juices. Let reduce by half until the alcohol smell disappears and the liquid becomes syrupy.
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes and black olives. Pour in the lemon juice. Let simmer for 5 minutes: the tomatoes should soften without turning into a puree.
- 5
Pour the pasta into the skillet. Add a bit of cooking water to bind. Stir vigorously so the sauce coats each spaghetti brilliantly. Fold in the crumbled feta at the last moment to add the final creaminess.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get this dish right?
- Never rinse your pasta, the starch is key to making the sauce stick to the spaghetti.
- Dry roast the coriander seeds for 30 seconds before crushing them to multiply the aroma.
How long does this dish keep?
Keep refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
