Friday, January 21, 2011

Spaghettini with Garlic and Lemon



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I love the spare simplicity of Shaker and Bauhaus design, and, on very busy days, I appreciate that same simplicity in my food. Today was a day made busy by a wonderful break in the weather. The almost balmy day kept me outside for far too long and made dinner preparation a rushed affair. On nights like this, I grill a steak or chicken and pair them with a simple, nearly naked, pasta that I like to sauce with lemon and garlic and very little else. It makes for an easy meal that can be on the table in minutes and the leftover pasta is good for a lunch or two as well. The recipe on which my lemon pasta is based originally appeared in Gourmet magazine. Giada De Laurentiis has a similar recipe that is enormously popular with her fans and readers. If you like simply sauced pastas, you'll quickly make this dish your own and not bother with recipes at all. Before you do that, however, there are a few things you'll have to keep in mind. Your first consideration should be the garlic. It burns quickly and should be cooked only until it colors. If it burns, you'll have to toss the oil in which it cooked and that's a waste of time and money. Another concern, especially for those of you who still have young children at the table, is how hot you want the dish to be. The heat here is provided by red pepper flakes and a range of measure is given for their use. Only you know your family's tolerance for heat. Most folks, at least initially, will be more comfortable at the lower end of that range. You also can control the amount of lemon and garlic you use in the recipe. I offer my choices only as suggestions, but, I hasten to add, they are suggestions that work, and they are sound choices for your first execution of the recipe. It's also important to remember that pasta never waits for sauce, the sauce should be waiting for the pasta. I think you'll like this dish. It's inexpensive, easy to make and really tasty. It is also a great entree for Meatless Mondays. Here's my version of the recipe.


Spaghettini with Garlic and Lemon
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite adapted from Gourmet Magazine

Ingredients:
1 lb spaghettini or capellini
6 large garlic cloves, minced
1/4 to 3/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
Juice of 1 large lemon
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:
1) Cook pasta in a 6-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain pasta in a colander.
2) While pasta is boiling, cook garlic and red pepper flakes (to taste) in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in zest, then juice, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water and bring to a simmer.
3) Add pasta and toss with sauce and parsley. Add more water if sauce seems too dry. Yield: 4 main course servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Spaghetti Sauce (Rule of One) - Moogie and Pap
Bolognese Sauce - Radishes and Rhubarb
Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce - Adventures in the Pioneer Valley
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce - Simply Recipes
Fresh Tomato and Zucchini Pasta Sauce - Coconut and Lime
Pork Bolognese - A Dash of Sass

62 comments :

Banana Wonder said...

Love this classic combination! What a delicious bite. You are on a lemon kick, for sure. Sure beats the winter blues.

Unknown said...

Wonderful combination of flavors! I have also been on a lemon kick, so this recipe is perfect for me.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

this is one of our fave meal at home! my kids love it! classic, easy and yet delicious! sometimes we make shrimp scampi with lots of lemon too! comfort food indeed!

Elin Chia said...

Mary, great combination and I am sure this will taste great and looking at it makes me drool and salivating and at the same time HUNGRY ! :p Love the beautiful colors of this pasta dish :) Thanks for sharing such a classic pasta dish :)

Have a great weekend with your family,
Elin

Priya Suresh said...

Yummy,thats a great combination, makes me hungry..

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I should know better than to be reading your blog at midnight Mary..I now need to head to the kitchen...we can have pasta for breakfast can't we:D

MelindaRD said...

I love that flavor combo. Lemon always adds something to a dish, particularly when it's meant to be on the lighter side. I think lemon and garlic both do a good job of lightening up a pasta meal. I usually avoid cream sauces because they are too heavy. I like them, but after a few bites, I just can't eat any more.

Katerina said...

My grandmother used to make spaghetti with yogurt and garlic and I loved it. I would love to try this one as well.

MaryMoh said...

I would eat a big plate. I am a garlic and lemon lover :D Hope you have a wonderful day :D

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

Hy Mary,
Thanks for your motivating feedback..
This is another must try dish for me..! fabulous..
Tasty appetite

Lizaboo said...

Yummy, so quick and simple and i just love pasta. So thankful for your blog as otherwise meals would be very dull in my house :o)

Blog is the New Black said...

What a classic combo!

Chiara said...

Great recipe Mary, I love it!have a good weekend ....

Carol at Serendipity said...

Mary,

Sometimes less is more. This sounds just elegant. I sometimes get tired of tomato sauce so this will be a nice easy change.

Carol

Lynn said...

This really caught my attention Mary! LOVE pasta (and garlic, and lemon:@)

Katrina V. said...

I love really simple pasta dishes like this -- especially with the lemon!

Martha said...

This is a favorite of ours at Linderhof. My husband prefers this to any other pasta and will even order it out!!! But we usually have ours sans grilled meat on the side -- just a salad to go with. In his eyes, this pasta is the star of the dinner!

And if there are any leftovers, they do make a great lunch!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

This is a go-to recipe in our kitchen.

You've captured it beautifully in your photo Mary and made it look like the star it is.
Sam

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I will remember this good advice . . . pasta never waits for the sauce.

Fondly,
Glenda

Unknown said...

I have a similar recipe that I've been making for years... I love the simplicity of it too! Just a fantastic dish with a lot of zing!

aipi said...

The pasta looks so very refreshing and delicious! I like it:)

US Masala

PeggyR said...

That looks very good and it's so attractive!

The Country Cook said...

Mary - thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog. I'm your newest follower. I am loving the recipes you have featured. I have my eye on that Lemon Pound Cake. I adore anything lemon so that is right up my alley! So nice to meet you!

Unknown said...

Mary, I love the simplicity of this pasta dish. I would and I could happily eat this anytime.

Claudia said...

I'm hugely jealous of your balmy day. But the dish is a welcome respite from winter. I welcome all things simple and have made variations of this and this was a gentle reminder that it is time to do it again.

Allie said...

Love this combination 2 of my favorite flavors! Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!

Gloria Baker said...

OMG This look really delicious, I love Giada de Laurentis and my next post is a recipe from her!! I love her recipes!
I love this Mary!! gloria
Have a lovely week end! x gloria

Unknown said...

This dish to me...defines simple, rustic, beautiful cooking. I want it now... :) Thanks Mary.

teresa said...

gorgeous pasta, so fresh and light, excellent!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh yes, this is a dish I know very well. Delicious!!

Have a wonderful weekend,
ButterYum

lena said...

it would be delighting to have this on the dinner table, a surprise pasta with the zest of the lemon

Unknown said...

This is something I would love for a pasta lunch.

Terri Steffes said...

I am glad you found me!

I am your newest follower. I appreciated your sweet comment!

Luciana said...

Che bel piatto di pasta invitante e che abbinamenti particolari!!! complimenti e buon week end :)

Lindsay said...

Yum! Simple and delicious. How can you go wrong? thanks for sharing, Mary.

Receitas para a Felicidade said...

Mary this pasta looks gorgeous and delicious, kisses.

HGourmet Foodie said...

I love the combination of Garlic and Lemmon on Spaghetti... Beautiful photo!!

Tasha said...

I just adore a simple pasta like this! I love what a little lemon adds.

Joanne said...

I'm all for simple pasta dishes, especially if they involve lemon! And spice! Delicious.

Clint said...

Mary---what a wonderful culinary masterpiece of a blog! This is my first visit and I am very impressed. I am now a follower.

Also, thank you so much for your kind words about my blog. You are invited to follow it. God bless.

Emily Malloy said...

I adore this recipe!

Southerncook said...

Oh Mary, this looks so very good. Light but yet fills that need for pasta and I would eat pasta any time. Have made my copy and I must say that I always enjoy your blog but don't often post a comment. You are truly an inspiration.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Federica Simoni said...

mmmmmmmmmm...che invitante!complimenti!!!ciao!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

your gorgeous food/recipes are taking over my bookmark folder!

yummmm I want this in my belly! =)

xoxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

Terri Steffes said...

Yum. A go to recipe for anyone! My kind of food!

Ginny Hartzler said...

This looks just great. Yes, Giada's is very similar to yours, except for the cheese and basil. I have made a couple versions of this, now it will be fun to try these two!

Yaya' s Home said...

I'm not sure how I'd feel about the lemon, but you sure make it look tasty. Thanks.

~ Yaya

Alessandra said...

This is perfect for me, I really would like some now, a sincere plate of pasta....

Mary, maybe you or your readers would give it a go at winning my book :-)

http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweet-as-book-giveaway-seguimi-e-vinci.html

ciao

Alessandra

Angela said...

You had me at Shaker and Bauhaus (two of my favorites - very good documentary on Bauhaus the other night, but don't remember the channel)!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Mary, another wonderful recipe for me! This looks and sounds so delicious! I'll certainly try this one too! I'm hooked.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kankana said...

This looks amazing .. tangy lemony .. and pasta is of my fav .. will try it soon :)

Ana Powell said...

Great combination of flavours.
I love the lemon kick too.
Wishing you a lovely weekend ♥

Miriam said...

I love this sauce, simple and delicious. I can't get enough pasta myself. Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

FOODESSA said...

I make a very similar recipe with linguini and without the chili pepper (tummy no like)...well maybe a touch of cayenne is ok.
This has become a classic go-to pasta dish at our house...especially when lemons are at there best ;o)

Flavourful wishes,
Claudia

Jan said...

Hi Mary - thank you for your kind comment on my blog. I'm loving this recipe (and loads more) on your site. It's all my kind of food!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Looks lovely. I love simple lemon and garlic pasta--although I always seem to have to add a few capers too. ;-)

MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College said...

There really is nothing like simplicity in cooking and this certainly seems like the best of it. Garlic is just so wonderful on its own but the lemon really makes this dish superb I am sure.

scrambledhenfruit said...

So simple and delicious! Hubby and I are eating more meatless meals these days and I know he'd welcome this pasta! :)

Vickie said...

I have never added lemon zest to this dish - DUH! What a delicious addition that sounds fabulous. It will be in there from now on!

Priyanka said...

Yummy...!!!! and the picture has made it even more tempting... :)

Joshua said...

Nice and simple, I've often had a similar pasta with milk (and a thicker pasta form) - usually any play on the old aglio olio e pepperoncino is up my alley. Of course it has to be al dente!
thanks

(real Italian food is simple).

Khalil Alsalman said...

Perfect classic combination of
Spaghetti flavors! I am sure it tastes great, I can eat it anytime.Have a nice day.

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