Tomato Basil Spaghetti

One of my favourite 'fast food' to make at home is tomato basil pasta. Okay, why do I categorized this meal as fast food? To me, it is an easy and express dish to make in under 30 minutes. Imagine, time from cutting the ingredients until cleaning up the mess, it only took less than half an hour for a plate of tasty pasta. I would say it is better than to eat instant noodles. Oh, and also I can just pick the basil fresh from my garden. If basil is not available, well then just omit the basil and make tomato garlic pasta. Good for lazy day lunch, or perhaps dinner. I am using spaghetti for this, other pasta variation like pasta penne is also a good substitute for this recipe.

Viola! Here goes my delicious express lunch!

Ingredients:
(Make: 1 serving)
Spaghetti (enough for one portion)
1 big tomato, chopped
1/2 onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

Few drops of balsamic vinegar

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions, until al dente.

2. Meanwhile, while waiting for the spaghetti to cook, heat olive oil in a sauce pan. Add onions and garlic, saute for few minutes until the onions look translucent.

3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook over medium heat, stir occasionally for about 5 minutes so that nothing burns. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper and few drops of balsamic vinegar

4. Reduce heat to low, and simmer the sauce until the spaghetti is ready.

5. Add the basil to the sauce pan, and give a quick stir.

6. Drain the pasta, and then mix into the sauce.

7. Serve hot. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if prefer.

I like to remove the skin and seeds of the tomato before chopping. To peel off the tomato skin easily, put the tomato in a pot of water and bring just to boil. After that, turn off the heat, pour out the hot water and cover the tomato with cold water. Then, you can just easily peel off the skin by hand. And, if the sauce is too thick when put on simmer while waiting for the spaghetti is ready, I just add the salted water which I use to cook the pasta into the sauce mixture.