Pasta’s Internet Takeover
From Dalgona Coffee to Nature’s Cereal, phrases once foreign to us have now become staple dishes of our 2021 kitchens. Thanks to apps like TikTok, recipes, and reviews have become more accessible and user-friendly than ever before. What makes viral TikTok recipes special is that they are inherently creative. For example, the Dalgona coffee recipe, which took over the internet for months, was unique in its experimentation of a timeless beverage. The same can be said for Nature’s Cereal, Taki Stuffed Jalapenos, and a handful of other recipes. Another commonality these dishes share is their accessibility. Many of these creations can be made with reasonable ingredients; that’s where pasta comes in. Everyone’s favorite carb has managed to make its way around the TikTok app due to its versatility. Let’s walk through and discuss what makes these recipes so special.
Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Vodka Pasta
With the help of social media, Gigi Hadid was able to share the recipe for her infamous Spicy Vodka pasta and it became an instant hit. Word spread fast about the tasty recipe, especially on Tik Tok where it became a viral trend worldwide. From the richness of the flavorful sauce, to the pasta shape that is used, Gigi’s recipe has managed to spice up dinner in numerous households. Due to the dish's simple ingredients and technique, it is approachable and consistent—a meal that tastes just as good as it looks! Find the recipe below:
Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Vodka Pasta: From Grazia Magazine
Ingredients:
¼ cup olive oil
1 small clove of garlic, diced
¼ green onion
¼ cup tomato paste
½ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon vodka
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
225 grams of shells pasta
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup parmesan cheese
Basil, chopped, to serve
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil, garlic, and onion. Cook until soft. Add tomato paste and cook until it appears a bit caramelized.
Add in the heavy cream. Then, add in the vodka and cook through until evaporated.
Add in the red pepper flakes.
Keep stirring until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Remove sauce from the heat.
Cook pasta separately. The chef uses shells but Orecchiette would also work well. When the pasta is done, save ¼ of the pasta water before draining.
Add in the butter. Stir over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sauce is, well...saucy.
Add pasta, and the pasta water, to the sauce. Add parmesan cheese and stir. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
Top with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and basil to serve.
Baked Feta Pasta
The craze of pasta through this past year has caused a frenzy of discovering new recipes to spice up traditional trends in the kitchen. Blogger Mckenzie Smith posting a recipe on baked feta pasta and added the appropriately named hashtag #bakedfetapasta. From the moment she posted, it accumulated millions of views in the span of a few hours! The easy and convenient recipe has made dinners more hassle-free and delicious. In fact, because of its viral uprise, the sales for feta cheese have skyrocketed with many stores running out of cheese in general. Below is the recipe to recreate this tasty recipe:
Baked Feta Pasta Recipe: From The Washington Post
Ingredients:
2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, halved lengthwise
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 block (7 ounces / 200 grams) Greek feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces medium-length dried pasta
Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and position your tray in the oven
Combine the garlic, tomatoes and ¼ cup of olive oil to a baking dish and use a pinch of salt to cover the coat
Place the feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes and garlic and fill the entire dish with red pepper flakes and pepper
Bake for 40 minutes until the tomatoes have burst their skin and the garlic has softened
Then, bring a large pot to boil filled with salted water and put the pasta in the water to cook till soft or al dente
When cooked drain the pasta and mash the tomatoes and feta together
Furthermore, mix the pasta with the sauce and add salt and pepper where needed
Add pasta water if it seems a bit dry and serve hot
These yummy, viral meals have been able to bring people together despite uncertain times. The craze surrounding these recipes proves, yet again, just how easy it is to become a part of a trend, especially ones that taste this good.
Written by Alexa Ojeda & Camila Perez, Photography by Esha Uddaraju, Design by Alyssa Hoppie, Media by Kristen Phillips