Lemony Spaghetti With Peas And Ricotta Recipes

LEMON RICOTTA PASTA WITH FRESH PEAS

Steps:

• In a large, high sided skillet, toast the pine nuts over medium heat. Watch them carefully! Stir them constantly! These will burn in a hot minute and then you will be out 5 bucks worth of expensive nuts. Not that I'm speaking from experience...
• Once the pine nuts are toasty and golden and fragrant, remove to a plate and set aside.
• Fill the high sided skillet with water and add 1 tablespoon of salt (it should taste like seawater.) Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. It should only take about 10 minutes, but check the package. Don't overcook it. Nobody likes limp noodles.
• When the pasta is al dente, drain in a colander and return to the same pot. Drizzle with olive oil and stir.
• Meanwhile, make the ricotta pea sauce. In a food processor or blender, add garlic and a bunch of parsley*. I didn't measure this, just throw in what looks like it will be 1/3 cup. Add oregano and thyme, and pulse or blend until the parsley and garlic are finely chopped.
• Add 1 and 1/2 cups peas, the ricotta, the lemon zest and juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt (see note), and black pepper. Pulse until the mixture comes together but still has some texture to it, it shouldn't be completely smooth.
• Add the ricotta mixture to the pasta and stir it up. Add the remaining cup of peas.
• Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and a few drizzles of olive oil. You can add this to the pot or over each individual serving.
• If you are serving adults, add a few shakes of crushed red pepper, or if you are serving kids leave it out (or just add a little).
• Top each serving with some toasted pine nuts.

LEMONY SPAGHETTI WITH PEAS AND RICOTTA RECIPE

Steps:

• Begin heating the water for the pasta: Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil while you proceed with the recipe. 2 Toast the Panko breadcrumbs: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the Panko, and stir constantly for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden. Season with salt and pepper, transfer to a bowl, and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean.
• Make the lemon ricotta: In another small bowl, stir the ricotta, 1 heaping tablespoon of the lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice together (save the rest). Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook the spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and set your timer for 2 minutes less than the recommended time (this is so you can be assured that you are cooking the pasta al dente). Cook the spaghetti uncovered in vigorously boiling water. When done, it should be cooked, but still firm in the middle. Scoop out 1/2 cup of the pasta water for the sauce, and drain in a colander.
• Cook the spring onions and peas: While the pasta cooks, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in the same large skillet used to toast the breadcrumbs. Add the spring onions, and cook, stirring often, for 6 to 7 minutes, or until they are soft and translucent. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoons lemon zest, the chicken stock and the peas. Cook, stirring often for 1 to 2 minutes or until the peas are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine the spaghetti with the peas: Reduce the heat to low. With tongs, transfer the cooked spaghetti and 1/4 cup of the pasta water to the skillet. Toss until hot, adding more pasta water if necessary until the pasta is coated with sauce. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if you like.
• Serve the pasta: Divide the spaghetti among four pasta bowls. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta over the pasta, and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and parsley.

SPAGHETTI WITH LEMON, PARMESAN & PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Feed in the spaghetti and cook for about 10-12 minutes, until just tender. (Check the pack instructions for timings - 'quick cook' spaghetti takes only 3 minutes.) Add the peas for the last 2-3 minutes.
• At the same time, heat the olive oil in a saucepan and fry the onion gently until softened and cooked, but not brown. Stir in the soft cheese and warm it through, adding 3 tbsp of the pasta cooking water to thin it down. Now stir in the lemon zest and 2 tbsp of the Parmesan.
• Drain the spaghetti and peas really well, return them to the pan and gently stir in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, then pile it into 2 serving bowls. Sprinkle the parsley and the remaining Parmesan over the top and serve right away, with a mixed leaf salad.