Spring Pasta Food

PASTA ALLA PAMELA WITH SHRIMP AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Salt liberally.
• In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the baking soda and marinate in the fridge for 15 minutes (this keeps the shrimp moist with a nice crust on the outside).
• Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil to the skillet, then arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the oil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook, undisturbed, until a nice crust is formed, about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, then add the butter and garlic. Cook gently until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Add the wine to deglaze and let simmer for 1 more minute. Add the peas and pasta. Toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper. Add a generous amount of Parmesan and toss again, adding the pasta water as necessary.
• Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl. Garnish with more Parmesan and the parsley. Serve.

SPRING PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS, CHILES AND SPRING PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Prepare an ice bath. Blanch the peas in the boiling water until bright green, about 20 seconds. Transfer immediately to the ice bath. Once cool, drain completely.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt until it tastes of lightly salted broth. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, in a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallot and pepperoncini and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the maitake and oyster mushrooms and cook until softened, another 3 to 4 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the white wine.
• When the pasta is cooked to al dente, add the pasta to the pan with the mushrooms directly from the pot, reserving the pasta water. Allow the pasta to finish cooking in the mushroom sauce, about 1 minute. Add the peas, butter and Fresno chile and stir to coat. Turn off the heat and add the Pecorino Romano in handfuls, stirring in between additions to prevent lumps. Add pasta water to thin the sauce as desired. Finish with the basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

SPRINGTIME PASTA

Steps:

• Boil the pasta in salted water. Add the kale for the final 2 mins, then drain, reserving a little of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, dry-fry the bacon in a nonstick pan until crisp. Remove from the pan and drain off most of the fat, leaving behind about 1 tsp. Gently fry the onion in the fat for 2-3 mins until soft.
• Tip the cooked pasta and kale into the pan, then stir through the bacon and goat's cheese. Add a little of the pasta cooking water if the mixture seems a bit dry. Serve in bowls scattered with grated Parmesan, if you like.

SPRING GARDEN PASTA

Steps:

• Beat flour, eggs, oil, and salt together in a bowl. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until a smooth and very thick dough forms.
• Turn dough out onto a work surface and knead until very smooth, about 10 minutes. Cover; let dough rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Divide dough into 8 balls. Roll each into a thin sheet about 18 inches long using a pasta roller or a rolling pin. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon flower petals, 1/4 tablespoon thyme, and 1/4 tablespoon dill on the lengthwise half of each sheet. Fold sheet in half over petals and herbs, then roll again into a thin sheet. Cut into long, 1-inch wide strips using a pizza cutter.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and boil until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.
• Toss with Parmesan cheese, butter, lemon zest, and juice. Season with salt and pepper.