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    Lemon Zest and Chive Pasta

    clock-icon20 minutes
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    Pixicook editorial team

    A delightful pasta dish featuring the bright flavors of lemon zest and the fresh oniony taste of chives, all melded together in a creamy Parmesan sauce.

    Ingredients for Lemon Zest and Chive Pasta

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    units in
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    serves
    4 peoplechevron
    serves
    4 peoplechevron

    Long Noodles (Linguine Or Spaghetti)

    0 lb

    Substitute chevron-down

    Kosher Salt

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Creme fraiche

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Freshly Grated Parmesan

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Lemon, zested and juiced

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Black Pepper

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Chives, chopped

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    How to Make Lemon Zest and Chive Pasta

    1. Cook Pasta

    Begin your culinary journey by setting a large pot of water over high heat—season generously with kosher salt. As the water comes to a rolling boil, introduce 1 pound of your favorite long noodles, such as linguine or spaghetti, and let them dance in the bubbling water until they're al dente, just tender with a slight bite, as the package lovingly instructs.

    2. Prepare Sauce

    While the pasta performs its magic, let's create a sauce that will make your taste buds sing. In the same pot you used for the pasta, now drained and off the heat, swirl together 3/4 cup of crème fraîche with 1/2 cup of the pasta's starchy water. This is the moment where alchemy happens: the pasta water, full of starch, merges with the creamy crème fraîche, transforming into a silky sauce that will lovingly coat each strand of pasta. Into this velvety mixture, fold in 3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan, the zest of one bright lemon, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Season with kosher salt and a crackling of black pepper to taste.

    3. Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Bring the pasta back into the pot, allowing it to bask in the creamy sauce. As you gently toss the noodles, they will become beautifully sheathed in the lemony, cheesy emulsion. Now, invite the chives to the party, scattering them over the pasta. The heat will tenderly wilt the chives, mingling their delicate onion flavor with the sauce.

    4. Serve

    Serve the pasta warm, crowned with an extra flourish of Parmesan and a shower of black pepper. As you twirl a forkful, each noodle should glisten with the creamy sauce, a testament to the simple yet sophisticated flavors you've melded together. Enjoy the harmony of tangy lemon, sharp Parmesan, and the subtle onion notes of chives in each bite.

    Pitfalls and tips

    Use Fresh Ingredients

    Opt for fresh, organic lemons and fresh chives for the most aromatic zest and delicate flavor.

    Timing is Key

    Combine pasta with sauce ingredients immediately after it's cooked al dente to absorb flavors.

    Pasta Cooking Water

    Reserve starchy pasta water to create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.

    Proper Seasoning

    Adjust salt and pepper levels at various stages to achieve a balanced taste.

    Properly Zest the Lemon

    Grate only the bright yellow part of the peel, avoiding the white pith, for a pure lemon flavor.


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