LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2023

ONE AND DONE

One-Pot Lemony Pasta with Spring Greens Pasta and verdant spring veggies are cooked in the same pot then tossed in a sensational sauce of butter, pasta water, lemon juice and Parmigiano Reggiano. This dish comes together quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before starting to cook. If you like it extra zingy, serve with lemon wedges on the side. Salt to taste 1/2 lb (225 g) tortiglioni pasta 2 cups (500 mL) baby spinach, packed 2 cups (500 mL) thinly sliced lacinato kale (stems removed), loosely packed 1/2 bunch asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon zest 1 tsp (5 mL) chili flakes, plus more for serving 3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving 1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. (Don’t make it too salty, as you will cook with some of the pasta water.) Cook pasta for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add spinach, kale and asparagus. Cook 1 minute more. Reserve 3/4 cup (175 mL) pasta water then drain pasta and greens in a colander. 2. Place pot back on stove over medium heat. Add olive oil and butter. Once butter has melted, add garlic. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup (125 mL) pasta water, lemon zest, chili flakes, pasta and greens. Stir well to combine.

The creaminess you get from one-pot pasta demands a high-acid white to cut through the starch, and the zesty Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 160085, 375 mL, $10.95) delivers. It’s a natural with spring vegetables, and the citrusy profile flatters the lemony flavours of the dish.

Increase heat to high and cook until sauce has thickened slightly and coats noodles, 1 to 2 minutes. Add extra pasta water 1 tbsp (15 mL) at a time as needed to create a smooth sauce.

3. Remove pasta from heat. Stir in lemon juice and cheese. Taste for salt. Serve immediately with extra chili flakes and cheese.

Serves 2 to 3

56 FOOD & DRINK SPRING 2023