Pasta e Ceci

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil until it shimmers

2 cloves garlic cloves peeled and smashed

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper or red pepper flakes, to taste

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas from one 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup uncooked ditalini pasta or another small shape; I use annelini

2 cups boiling water (475 ml)

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil estimate 1 per serving

1 clove garlic clove peeled and finely chopped

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

Salt and red pepper flakes

Equipment

medium-large heavy-bottomed pot or deep sauté pan

small sauce- or frying pan

Directions

In a medium-large heavy-bottomed pot or deep sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until it shimmers. Add 2 smashed cloves of garlic and cook, stirring until it becomes lightly, barely browned but very fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste, salt, and pepper and cook them with the garlic for 30 seconds or so. Add the chickpeas, pasta, and boiling water. Stir to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, lower the heat, and simmer until the pasta is cooked and a lot of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning and ladle into bowls.

Make finishing oil: Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small sauce- or frying pan over medium-low heat with the remaining clove of garlic, rosemary, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper flakes, until sizzling; pull it off the heat as soon as the garlic is going to start taking on color. Drizzle this over bowls of pasta e ceci and eat it right away.