Pasta Gremolata Recipes

PASTA GREMOLATA

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the parsley, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Season with salt, pepper and olive oil. (alternatively you can make this in a blender if you prefer)
• Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, toss the gremolata with the pasta until well coated. Serve immediately.

BAKED MUSHROOM RIGATONI WITH KALE GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the pasta: Cook the rigatoni in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente, about 3 minutes less than the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven. Sear the mushrooms, undisturbed, for 3 minutes; stir, and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Sear on the reverse side an additional 2 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the pan.
• Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the Dutch oven. Add the garlic and flour, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and simmer gently until the sauce just thickens, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the Parmesan, Gruyere and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let cool slightly, then add half of the seared mushrooms, and puree with an immersion blender.
• In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the sauce and the remaining half of the mushrooms, adding about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water or more if desired. Transfer to a baking dish.
• For the gremolata: In a medium bowl, combine the kale, Gruyere, panko, smoked almonds, olive oil and lemon zest.
• Scatter the gremolata over the pasta and bake until golden on top and bubbling, about 40 minutes.

PASTA WITH GREEN BEANS AND ALMOND GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-low heat, toast the almonds, stirring frequently so they don't burn, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. In a medium bowl, combine the almonds, celery or parsley leaves, lemon zest, garlic and a pinch of salt. Set aside and wipe out skillet.
• Add pasta to boiling water and cook until it is al dente, according to package directions. About 2 minutes before it's done, add the beans to the pasta pot. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and drain the pasta and beans.
• While the pasta and beans drain, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in the large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden in color, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn heat to low and add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet (be careful of splattering) and cook until it is reduced by about half, 1 to 2 minutes more. Turn heat to medium and add the pasta, green beans and butter to the skillet and toss until the butter melts. Add the cheese and an additional 1/4 cup water and toss until the cheese is emulsified and the pasta is glossy with sauce. If needed, add an additional 1/4 cup pasta water to loosen. Season with kosher salt, to taste.
• Transfer the pasta to a large bowl, top with gremolata and drizzle with more olive oil. Pass additional grated cheese at the table, if desired.

GREMOLATA PRAWN PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water following pack instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, make the gremolata. In a food processor (or by hand), finely chop the garlic with the zest, parsley (include the stalks) and rocket. Season generously, add the oil and lemon juice, and mix to make a juicy paste. Set aside.
• Melt the knob of butter with a small splash of oil in a frying pan, add the prawns and fry quickly on each side. Add the chilli flakes and cook for 1 min or so more until the prawns are cooked.
• Drain the pasta and return to the pan. Add the gremolata and the chilli prawns, toss well to coat and check the seasoning. Divide