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Lemon and Asparagus Pasta with Pistachios and Mozzarella

May 8, 2014 by Joy the Baker 26 Comments

lemon asparagus pasta with pistachio and mozzarella

It’s a good weekend for pasta.  You know how I know?  Every weekend is a good weekend for pasta.

Too easy.

If there’s also a couch involved in the weekend pasta plans… game over.  Consider me done!

Lemon and Asparagus Pasta

There are really great things happening in this big bowl of weekend pasta.

It’s Spring and we’re taking full advantage.  Asparagus, yes.  It’s even boiled with the pasta so laziness isn’t an excuse.  Fresh herbs and lemon brighten the whole deal into oblivion.  Olive oil… the good kind that you actually want to eat instead of butter.

We’re adding pistachios too because I’ve just discovered that Pistachios Crusted Asparagus is the best thing ever and the two should always and forever be paired together.

Lastly we’re adding mega special Bottarga.  Have you ever tried this stuff?

Bottarga is salted and cured fish roe.  Yea… get into it.  In this preparation the Bottarga is grated into tiny flakes.  It’s fishy and super salty and takes the place of Parmesan cheese in this pasta.  So much flavor! It’s unique and special.

Actually wait… what’s so special about this Bottarga is that is was handmade by my friend Jill in NYC.  It’s love, and gorgeous grated Bottarga can also be yours.  I’m already plotting sprinkling my eggs tomorrow with Bottarga.  This obsession has taken root.

Ok now… let’s pasta.

Lemon and Asparagus Pasta

Consider this pasta a dump-and-toss situation.  You’ll need a large bowl, a big ol’ spoon, and a cat that wants to eat any rogue mozzarella balls that fly over the edge of the bowl and onto the floor.

I like this pasta best served at a warm room temperature, extra lemon, extra chili flakes.

Lemon and Asparagus Pasta

The Botttarga is sprinkled onto the pasta just before serving.  It’s sprinkled with reverence and thanks to the friends that work so hard to  make it.  The Bottarga adds the perfect salty balance to the bright herbs and earth asparagus.  It’s all very well done.  Everything you deserve for pasta weekend.

I love you!  Happy Friday!

Lemon and Asparagus Pasta with Pistachios and Mozzarella

serves 4

Print this Recipe!

1/2 pound dried curly pasta (I used Cavatappi pasta)

1 pound asparagus, chopped into large pieces

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

1 heaping cup small mozzarella balls, sliced in half

1 handful fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

1 small handful fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped

juice of 1 to 2 lemons (depending on how lemony you like your pasta)

1 handful shelled roasted and salted pistachios, coarsely chopped

1 to 2 teaspoons Bottarga (optional)

salt and crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a simmer.  Add a good pinch of salt and the pasta.  Cook until the pasta has  just become al dente and add the chopped asparagus.  Cook until the pasta is cooked through and the asparagus is bright green, soft, but still slightly crisp.  Drain in a colander and see aside.

In the same pot that you cooked the pasta in, add the olive oil to the warm pan.  Return the pasta and asparagus to the pan and toss.  Drizzle in lemon juice.  Sprinkle in cheese pieces, fresh herbs, pistachios, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes.  Taste and season accordingly.

Serve slightly warm or at room temperature sprinkled with as much Bottarga as you’d like.  

 

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Categories: Dinner, Featured Savory, Recipes

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  1. Mia

    August 11, 2014 at 3:44 am

    I tried it tonight – added red onion and garlic, used cayenne pepper instead. Yum! The combination is so innovative! What a healthy and quick meal.

    Reply
  2. schnuffichen

    May 29, 2014 at 9:27 am

    I made this last weekend and it was to diiiiiiieeeeeee (dieieieieie?) for! I just love you and your blog and the amazing things you come up with! :)

    Reply
  3. Marcus

    May 17, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Hey from Bali! We haven’t found any Balinese Recipes on your website! Please feel free to copt them from our Bali Travel Website
    https://www.travellingbali.com/bali/cooking-balinese-recipes-bali

    Makan (Indonesian for Enjoy)

    Reply
  4. Chloe

    May 16, 2014 at 4:42 am

    pistachios in a pasta dish! i love it..i’m not great at thinking outside the box for these things so i love it when other people do it for me!!
    beautfiul photos!

    Reply
  5. lesley kim

    May 15, 2014 at 11:49 am

    i have to try this!! yummm!!

    http://www.lesley-kim.com

    Reply
  6. shineshka

    May 14, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    I made this pasta last night and it was delicious! Thank you for the great recipe!

    Reply
  7. Elisa

    May 12, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Oh YUM!! I just made this for dinner! It worked well with my GF brown rice elbows and Bella Gioioso fresh mozz (it’s GF too). I had to omit the pistachios due to nut allergy but the kiddos had them on their portions and liked them. Didn’t do the caviar. My son has sensory issues with his mouth and didn’t care for the textures of the herbs, I might have to do a sort of pesto next time.
    Thanks for the non tomato idea!!! (i’m allergic and intolerant to lots of things)

    I found and I altered a gluten free mix that is safe for me and that worked on a cake, so I’m off in the morning to make your lemon cake with the lemon poppyseed buttercream icing!

    Reply
  8. Helen @ Scrummy Lane

    May 11, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Botarga? Never heard of it, but it sounds intriguing. The pasta sounds heavenly, though. I had a similarly simple pasta at a restaurant this lunchtime with lots of lemon, chili and olive oil and it was so surprisingly satisfying and tasty. Eager to try this … there are so many lovely ingredients in there!

    Reply
  9. Diane Leach

    May 10, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    I too, love this blog!

    Reply
  10. Julia M

    May 9, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    I make a very similar version but add sun dried tomatoes and without the flaked fish stuff.

    Reply
  11. Kristin | Dine X Design

    May 9, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    I snacked on some of this last night – thumbs up!

    Reply
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