Parmesan Lemon Spinach Food

LEMON RICOTTA PASTA & SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Meanwhile, make the ricotta sauce.
• In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest and juice. Season with 1/4 tsp of salt and a good pinch of pepper.
• Stir until well combined, taste and make sure you're happy with the seasoning.
• In the last minute of the pasta's cooking time, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then and add spinach to the pot. Stir well and push the leaves down to submerge them in water.
• After 1 minute, drain and return pasta and spinach to the same pot.
• Add the ricotta sauce and part of the reserved cooking water. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed, you want a smooth and creamy texture.
• Serve immediately and garnish with grated or shaved Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon wedges if desired (for extra freshly squeezed juice, but I leave it optional). Plus, I love adding a good pinch of red pepper flakes, you might give it a go. Enjoy!

CHICKEN & SPINACH SKILLET PASTA WITH LEMON & PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in wine, lemon juice and zest; bring to a simmer.
• Remove from heat. Stir in spinach and the cooked pasta.
• Cover and let stand until the spinach is just wilted.
• Divide among 4 plates and top each serving with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.

RISOTTO WITH PARMESAN AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and a touch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Add 1 cup simmering chicken stock to the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until absorbed. Repeat, adding the stock 1 cup at a time, until the rice is al dente and creamy in texture, about 20 minutes. (You might not use all of the stock.)
• When the rice is al dente, remove from the heat and stir in the cheese, chives and lemon juice. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil.
• Divide the risotto among shallow bowls. Drizzle with olive oil, top with the lemon zest and more chives, and season with salt and pepper.

PASTA WITH LEMON, SPINACH, PARMESAN AND BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Toss bread crumbs with 1 TBS oil in large bowl to coat.
• Spread evenly on rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until breadcrumbs are golden, about 5 minutes.
• Cool.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally.
• Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 6 TBS oil, thinly sliced garlic, lemon juice, and dried crushed red pepper in heavy small saucepan over medium heat.
• Cook oil mixture until garlic turns golden, about 5 minutes.
• Toss pasta, oil mixture and spinach in large bowl until spinach wilts, adding reserved cooking liquid as needed to moisten.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs over.
• Serve pasta, passing grated Parmesan cheese seperately.