Basil, Ham & Cheese Pasta

I had wanted to make pestos with my basil leaves and realized that I was short of one key ingredient. Not wanting to waste the basil leaves that I harvested, I adjusted my dinner plan and made Basil, Ham & Cheese Pasta instead.

This is one easy dish with simple ingredients. Very easy to prepare and cook.

Ingredients (enough for 2) :

• 160 gm of spaghetti (or any other kind of pasta that you prefer) 
• 4 pcs honey baked ham (diced)
• 1.5 cup grated or shredded cheese (parmesan cheese preferred)
• 1 cup basil leaves (finely chopped) 
• 3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 pc red chilli  (sliced for garnishing)
• a little english parsley (for garnishing)
• 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking and 1 tsp olive oil for food plating
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp salt
• a little grounded black pepper 

(tsp = teaspoon; tbsp = tablespoon)    


Method :

Bring a pot of water to boil. Add 1 tsp salt into boiling water (this is to allow pasta to be infused with taste while boiling). Then, slowly fold in pasta into pot until completely immersed in boiling water. Do not cover pot with lid. Just leave pasta to boil till soft and separated.

Tip : As we want our pasta to be served immediately after boil, it is best that we concurrently prepare/cook the other ingredients as soon as we start boiling the pot of water.

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet/pan and lightly stir fry finely chopped garlic.

Add basil leaves (finely chopped ones and some full leaves). 

Add diced honey baked ham. Quickly stir fry all ingredients and turn off heat.

When pasta is boiled and ready, transfer to serving bowl or plate.

Quickly add cheese when pasta is piping hot. The heat will allow the cheese to melt nicely into the pasta.

Add grounded pepper and 1 tsp olive oil.

Give it a quick toss to ensure cheese and pepper are evenly spread on pasta.

Top with basil leaves and diced ham that were cooked earlier.

Ready to be served after garnishing with more colors.

Simple meal. Simple indulgence.