Herbs

The simplest way to give distinction to simple butter- or olive oil–coated pasta is to add fresh herbs. Basil is the best known—just add a small handful of whole leaves to the basic pasta tossed with olive oil—but finely chopped marjoram (especially with garlic) works magic with pasta tossed with butter or olive oil. Throughout Italy, sage and butter are cooked together in one of the best and simplest of pasta sauces. Mint and oregano are also popular herbs for flavoring pasta.