Midnight Velvet Pasta

A silky, umami-rich pasta that comes together like magic

Ingredients (serves 4):

1. Spaghetti or linguine - 1 pound
2. Soy sauce - 3 tablespoons
3. Butter - 4 tablespoons
4. Garlic - 4 cloves
5. Black pepper - 1 teaspoon (freshly cracked)
6. Honey - 1 tablespoon
7. Dried red pepper flakes - ½ teaspoon

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. While pasta cooks, mince the garlic finely.

3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant (don't let it brown!).

4. Create the sauce by adding soy sauce and honey to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let it bubble for 30 seconds.

5. Toss everything by adding the drained pasta to the skillet with ½ cup pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes, adding more pasta water if needed to create a glossy sauce that coats the noodles.

6. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and serve immediately.

⏱ Time: 5 minutes prep | 15 minutes cooking | 20 minutes total

Chef's tip: The starchy pasta water is the secret—it helps create a creamy, restaurant-quality sauce that clings to every strand!