Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsAkara RestaurantPlates Recipe

Plates Recipe

Inspired by Akara Restaurant
Time30m
Serves4

Make Plates Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Optional Add-ins

Method

Cooking the Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 cups of salted water to a rolling boil.

  2. 2

    Cook Pasta

    Add 2 cups of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

    Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Preparing the Sauce

  1. 4

    Sauté Garlic

    In the same pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

  2. 5

    Add Tomatoes

    Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes to the pot and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.

  3. 6

    Combine Ingredients

    Add the cooked pasta to the pot and toss to combine with the garlic and tomatoes. If the mixture seems dry, add a little reserved pasta water.

  4. 7

    Season

    Stir in 1 cup of chopped fresh basil, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.

  5. 8

    Add Optional Ingredients

    If desired, add cooked chicken and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir until heated through.

Serving

  1. 9

    Plate the Dish

    Serve the pasta on plates and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

  2. 10

    Enjoy

    Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious pasta dish!

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