#1 Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season it lightly with sea salt, cook pasta one minute less than package directions reserve 1 cup of pasta water #2 Meanwhile, in a skillet sauté garlic, olive oil, chili flakes and 4 sprigs of thyme. When the oil starts frying add 2/3 cup pasta cooking water and bring to a simmer #3 Toss pasta with thyme mixture over high heat for one minute. Turn off heat, discard sprigs of thyme, stir in black pepper, cheese and 1/3 cup of reserved cooking water. Mix well until well combined #4 Finish with more black pepper and garnish with thyme leaves over the top