Angel Hair Pasta With Fried Chili Flakes Lemon And Arugula Food

FIERY ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Stir the oil, parsley, lemon juice and lemon peel in a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and toss with enough reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and red pepper flakes, to taste. Sprinkle grated lemon peel over pasta for extra flavor and texture. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.
• Combine the oil and crushed red pepper flakes in a heavy small saucepan. Cook over low heat until a thermometer inserted into the oil registers 180 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Transfer the oil and pepper flakes to a 4-ounce bottle. Seal the lid. Refrigerate up to 1 month.
• Yield: 2 cups
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours

PASTA WITH FRIED LEMONS AND CHILE FLAKES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Finely zest 2 of the lemons and set aside. Trim the tops and bottoms off the other 2 lemons and cut lengthwise into quarters; remove seeds. Thinly slice the quarters crosswise into triangles. Blanch the lemon pieces in the boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to a dish towel. Blot dry.
• In the boiling water, add pasta and cook until just barely al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over high heat. Add the dried lemon pieces and season with a pinch each of salt and sugar. Cook until the lemons are caramelized and browned at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Melt the butter with the remaining oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the chile flakes and zest of both lemons; cook until fragrant. Whisk in the reserved pasta water.
• Toss in pasta, juice of 1 lemon, cheese, pepper and the remaining salt. Cook until pasta is well coated with sauce. Toss in the caramelized lemon and the celery leaves and parsley if using. Taste and add lemon juice if needed. Serve, topped with a drizzle of oil, more cheese if you like, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH SCALLOPS AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Rinse the scallops and dry well with paper towels.
• Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
• In a large, heavy fry pan over high heat, warm the olive oil until it shimmers.
• In batches without crowding, add the scallops and sear until nicely browned on one side, about 2 minutes.
• Turn the scallops over and brown the other side, about 1 minute more.
• Return all the scallops to the pan, Add the lemon zest and thyme, and cook for a moment.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the scallops to a bowl.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the butter and shallots to the pan.
• Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
• Generously salt the boiling water, add the pasta and cook until al dente (tender but firm to the bite), 3 to 4 minutes.
• While the pasta is cooking, add the lemon juice and broth to the fry pan and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom.
• Simmer until slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drain the pasta well and add it to the fry pan.
• Add the scallops and any juices that have accumulated.
• Add the capers and pine nuts.
• Toss over low heat to finish cooking the scallops and mix the ingredients, about 1 minute.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Transfer to a warmed large, shallow bowl.
• Add the arugula leaves and toss gently.
• Serve immediately.