Sicilian Lemon Pasta Recipes

PASTA SICILIANO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place farfalle pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the garlic until lightly browned. Mix in red pepper and lemon juice. Stir in the pine nuts, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss in the cooked pasta and feta cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

LEMONY PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add fusilli and cook until it is just shy of al dente. (It should be slightly underdone to your taste because you'll finish cooking it in the sauce.) Drain well.
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the chickpea sauce: Place chickpeas in a large bowl and use a potato masher or a fork to lightly mash them; they should be about half-crushed.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add garlic cloves and fry until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in onions, rosemary, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Then stir in chickpeas and the cooking liquid, stock or water. Bring to a simmer and cook gently until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in pasta and parsley, and cook until the pasta has finished cooking and is coated in the sauce, 1 to 2 minutes. Quickly toss in cheese, butter, lemon zest, black pepper to taste and salt if needed. Drizzle with olive oil and shower with additional cheese before serving.

LEMON SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook as the label directs for al dente.
• Meanwhile, combine the olive oil and lemon zest and juice in a large skillet. When you are about to drain the spaghetti, turn the heat under the skillet to medium. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain the spaghetti and transfer to the skillet. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking water and toss to combine. Add the butter and cook, tossing quickly, until the sauce glazes the spaghetti, about 30 seconds; add more cooking water a few tablespoons at a time if the spaghetti seems dry. Add the parmesan and toss to melt; season with salt.
• Divide the spaghetti among bowls. Top generously with more Parmesan and coarse pepper.

SICILIAN LEMON CHICKEN WITH RAISIN-TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the raisins in warm water until they plump, about 10 minutes.
• Drain and set aside.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Stir in the onion, garlic, pine nuts, and olives.
• Season with bay leaves, oregano, and cayenne.
• Cook until the onions have softened and begun to turn golden, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper; cook for 5 more minutes.
• Add the raisins, balsamic vinegar, and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5 more minutes.
• Remove the bay leaves, and stir in the julienned basil. Cover and keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• While the skillet is heating, toss the chicken with the lemon juice to coat (the lemon zest will be used later).
• Cook the chicken on both sides until golden brown and the juices run clear, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a warm plate, and allow to rest for about five minutes.
• To serve, slice each chicken breast against the grain into thin slices.
• Divide the pasta into four wide, shallow bowls.
• Fan the chicken slices out over top of the pasta, and spoon the tomato sauce over them.
• Sprinkle with lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and a sprig of basil to garnish.