As I mentioned the other day, I am staying at Shane’s parents’ house this week and next while they’re away. Shane comes down to hang out on the weekends but otherwise, I’m on my own. While I love planning and cooking meals for the two of us when I’m home, it’s sort of nice to have more freedom these 2 weeks. I’ve been enjoying many meatless meals (a meal isn’t a meal unless it includes meat in Shane’s book), including roasted veggies and salads and pasta.
Yesterday I spent a good portion of my day catching up on visiting and commenting on some of my favorite blogs; it was rather embarrassing how far behind I’d fallen and was starting to stress me out! I hadn’t figured out what I was going to do for dinner but I wanted something simple and quick. While catching up at Pamela’s site, Cookies with Boys, I saw a lemon spaghetti dish and my dinner decision was made. I was able to throw the meal together in under 15 minutes and it was absolutely delicious! Though I followed the recipe almost exactly as written this time (I did use a bit less olive oil), I think it’s pretty versatile and could be customized with different herbs and more or less lemon juice/zest to adjust the flavors according to personal preferences. I’ll definitely make it again – I think the lemon sauce would be great with shrimp!
Lemon Spaghetti
1 pound spaghetti
2/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the oil, Parmesan, and lemon juice in a large bowl to blend.
Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the lemon sauce, and the reserved cooking liquid, adding 1/4 cup at a time as needed to moisten. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with lemon zest and chopped basil.
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I saw this on Pam’s blog as well. It looks delicious 🙂
I’ve seen Giada make this recipe – I remember thinking it sounded good… Yours looks just as good!
Sometimes the simplest dishes are the most satisfying, aren’t they? I love how you did this with the lemon zest and basil, your photos are so beautiful!
Lemon spaghetti sounds interesting.
Love the photo.
BTW, you’ve been tagged (by me):
http://www.karenscookiescakesnmore.com/2009/09/to-z-tag.html
You got to make it! I have been thinking about this recipe now since I twittered with you yesterday. I just love the lemon! Glad you enjoyed it, too.
i also get stressed about falling “behind” in reading my blogs…or magazines for that matter. funny how the things we do to entertain us can become stressors!
Mmmm! So fresh!
You had me at Lemon Spaghetti. YUM!
hm… this sounds intriguing, a bit new to me… but intriguing. i think i might make this for myself with some shrimp when we have a ‘make your own’ dinner night. the fiance wouldn’t go near this dish haha.
Oh, yeah, this is happening here very very soon. Gorgeous photo. Is it possible to have too much lemon in your life? I doubt it.
ooo lemon spacghetti.
I’m processing..
Lemon spaghetti sounds awesome!
I’ve never had lemon spaghetti. This looks so fresh and tasty!