Homemade Herbed Pasta With Feta Lemon And Pine Nuts Food

PASTA WITH BACON, CHEESE, LEMON AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Put a large pot of salted water on to boil. Put the cheese, herbs and red pepper flakes on the table. Zest the lemon and put the zest on the table in a small serving bowl. Cut the lemon in half.
• Put bacon in a medium-size heavy pot and turn the heat on low. Cook, turning occasionally, until fat has rendered and bacon is chewy-crisp, about 10 minutes. Lift out bacon pieces and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Keep warm on top of the stove.
• When the water boils, add pasta, stir well and cover. When the water comes back to the boil, uncover and stir again.
• Put 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan and melt it over medium-low heat. When it foams, throw in the pine nuts and cook, shaking the pan, until they turn brown and toasty. Turn off heat and squeeze the lemon into the pan, cupping your hand underneath to catch any pits. Stir and set aside. Transfer bacon to a serving bowl and place on the table.
• As soon as the pasta is tender (it will cook a bit more later on), drain it, reserving a cup of the cooking water. Immediately return the pasta to the pan over low heat. Toss in a chunk of butter. Add a splash of cooking water and a pinch of salt, stir well, cover and let rest 1 minute. Taste and adjust the seasonings until the pasta is completely cooked and tasty (but plain).
• For those who like plain pasta or pasta with just butter and cheese, set aside a good amount in serving bowls. For others, pour the pine nuts and butter into the pasta remaining in the pot, add another splash of cooking water, and toss to combine. Serve from the pot or in a serving bowl, passing the various toppings.

LEMON-HERB MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• In pint-sized glass jar, arrange herbs, lemon, peppercorns and pepper flakes. Top with cheese. Pour olive oil over cheese mixture; cover and refrigerate 3 days. Serve with toasts. Any leftover cheese mixture can be covered and refrigerated up to 4 days longer.
• At least 1 1/2 hours before serving, make the toasts. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray. Bake French bread 24 to 26 minutes or until browned. Cool completely, at least 30 minutes. Cut into 1/2-inch slices. Brush slices on both sides with melted butter. Return to pan; bake 10 to 15 minutes, turning once, until light golden brown.

HERBED PASTA PERFECTION

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano and thyme; cook until garlic is light golden brown, about 1 minute. Using a whisk, mix cornstarch with 1/2 cup water until dissolved. Add cornstarch mixture, wine, chicken bouillon and sugar to skillet. Bring wine mixture to a boil and cook until the sauce is reduced by half, 2 - 5 minutes. Stir beans into sauce and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes more.
• 2. Add cooked, hot pasta to skillet; stir to coat completely with sauce. Divide pasta evenly among serving bowls. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.

ANGEL'S HAIR PASTA WITH LEMON AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil for pasta.
• In a small saucepan cook garlic in oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened and transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add pine nuts, crushing them lightly with the back of a fork, lemon juice, zest, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente and, reserving 2 tablespoons of the cooking water, drain well. Add pasta with the reserved cooking water to bowl and toss with lemon mixture until it is absorbed. Serve pasta warm or at room temperature.

LEMON PINE NUT TAGLIATELLE

Steps:

• 1. Mince the parsley and place it in a large shallow bowl. Add the oil, lemon zest, and pine nuts and mix until well combined. Season with salt, cover, and let sit for at least 2 hours at room temperature.
• 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the tagliatelle, stir, and cook until it is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite), 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
• 3. Add the hot pasta along with the cooking water immediately to the prepared sauce and toss until the sauce is thoroughly distributed. Season with salt and pepper and toss again.
• 4. To serve, use two spoons and carefully scoop up the pasta, making sure to get pine nuts with each serving (see Note). Serve with lemon wedges if desired for squeezing atop the pasta.
• Note: The pine nuts tend to fall to the bottom of the bowl no matter how well you toss the pasta. Once the pasta is served, simply return to the bowl and evenly distribute the remaining pine nuts over each serving.

BOW TIE PASTA WITH FETA, PINE NUTS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat water and cook pasta according to package directions.
• Heat olive oil in a medium skillet, over medium heat.
• Add garlic and saute, but do not let brown.
• Add toasted pine nuts.
• Add spices and stir.
• Add tomatoes and olives and saute for about 3 minutes, until heated through and softened.
• Pour sauce over pasta and top with Feta cheese.
• Cover for a minute so cheese and flavors meld.

LEMON AND FETA PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following package directions.
• Meanwhile, make a dressing by combining the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, mustard and garlic.
• Once cooked, drain the pasta and put back in the warm pot. Mix in the crumbled feta, tomatoes, spring onions and dressing. Heat gently til feta melts a little. This dish can be served warm or refrigerated as a packed lunch.