Capellini with Olives and Crispy Crumbs

A simple pasta dish with great flavour.  Using a good quality bread is important for this meal.  I have used the Sun-Dried Tomato Bread with Shallots and Herbs in this recipe but you could substitute for another favourite.  From Food and Drink Winter 2012.

CRISPY CRUMBS
3 cups very coarse fresh bread crumbs from Sun-Dried Tomato Bread with Shallots and Herbs
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp finely minced fresh thyme or rosemary leaves
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

PASTA
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
500 g capellini or capelli d'angelo or spaghettini pasta
1/2 cup pitted olives such as Kalamata, slivered
1/2 cup shopped fresh herbs such as basil or parsley, divided
1/2 cup chicken stock or water, hot
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment.  Stir crumbs with cheese, thyme, salt and pepper.  Drizzle with olive oil; using hands, work oil into crumbs until all are moistened.  Spread on parchment paper.
3. Bake on middle rack for 10 minutes.  Stir, slightly breaking up any fragrant clumps that have formed.  Continue baking 5 minutes; stir.  Bake another 3 to 5 minutes or until browned.  Cool in pan.  (if making ahead, cool and refrigerate in a plastic bag.  Or freeze.  To recrisp, spread out in a doughnut shape on a large plate, microwave uncovered for 30 to 60 seconds or until hot.)
4. Bring a large pasta pot half-filled with lightly salted water to a boil.  Meanwhile, pour oil into large frying pan over low heat; add garlic.  Let slowly infuse while boiling pasta.
5. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, usually from 2 to 4 minutes, then drain.  Stir olives into oil mixture then add pasta.  Toss until pasta is coated.  Sprinkle with herbs; pour in hot chicken stock.  Toss well.
6. Serve in warmed serving bowls sprinkled with some Parmesan and numerous crispy crumbs; pass remaining Parmesan, crispy crumbs and a shaker of hot chili flakes.