Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and red pepper flakes

Ingredients:

• 450 gr. dry spaghetti
• 0.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes + more to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves

Preparation:

1. Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 6-8 minutes. Drain the spaghetti in a colander, discarding 2 tablespoons of the cooking water. The cooking water will help make the sauce. Don't rinse the spaghetti: you want the natural starch to remain on the surface so the sauce will coat it better.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden and fragrant. It's important not to let the garlic brown, as this will make it bitter. Remove the garlic from the oil. Add the red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Carefully add the pasta and toss to coat with the flavored oil. Add the reserved pasta water and cook, stirring, until a sauce forms, for 1 minute.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle the spaghetti with fresh herbs.