Real Deal Penne Al Limone Recipes

PASTA AL LIMONE

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil-use an amount of water so that the pasta is more crowded in the water than it typically would be (see photo in blog post above). Cook the noodles until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• When the pasta is nearly done cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. If the garlic is done cooking before the pasta is ready, remove the pan from the heat so the garlic doesn't burn.
• IMMEDIATELY (as soon as the pasta is drained) add the hot pasta to the skillet with the garlic. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Increase the heat to medium-high, then with a pair of tongs, toss to coat. Continue cooking and tossing constantly, until the sauce turns shiny and coats the noodles-it will take a minute or so. The pasta will be coated in a shiny, silky sauce. If the pasta becomes too tight at any point, splash in a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water (add the water slowly so that the pasta doesn't become watery).
• Zest the lemon over the top. Cut the lemon into quarters, then squeeze in the lemon juice. Sprinkle on the Parmesan. Toss again to combine. The cheese might be a bit clumpy at first, but just keep tossing, adding the tiniest splashes of pasta water only as needed. Add a good pinch of salt and several generous grinds of black pepper. Toss again. Taste and add more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to serving plates and top each serving with a sprinkle of extra Parm and a bit more black pepper. Enjoy hot.

REAL-DEAL PENNE AL LIMONE

Steps:

• In a large pot put the water to boil for the pasta.
• In a large saucepan melt the butter until is starts to foam, add the lemon juice and let it reduce a bit, maybe 5 minutes.
• Set aside.
• When the pasta is ready, drain and keep aside.
• Return the lemon sauce to the stove and add all of the cream and let it reduce by a half.
• Mix the pasta with the cream sauce, add the cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
• garnish with fresh parsley stems,.

POLLO AL LIMONE (LEMON CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Grate the zest of the lemons into a bowl that is large enough to hold the chicken pieces, and then squeeze in all the lemon juice, holding back the seeds. Whisk in the white wine, 1/4 cup of olive oil, the fresh herbs, and the garlic. Add the chicken pieces, turning them to coat well with the marinade. Set aside, covered, in a cool place to marinate for several hours (or prepare the chicken in the morning and refrigerate until time to start cooking dinner).
• When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan.
• Drain the chicken pieces, reserving the marinade, and saute them over medium heat until they are golden and crisp on all sides, about 7 minutes a side. Place the chicken pieces in an oven dish that is large enough to hold them in a single layer. Pour the reserved marinade into the frying pan and bring to a boil, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan. Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces and set the dish in the oven. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the chicken pieces are done (the juices will run clear when you prick a piece with a fork.) Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper as desired.
• Serve immediately in the baking dish in which the chicken was baked, or remove to a heated platter and pour the pan juices over.

MARCELLA HAZAN'S "PASTA AL LIMONE"

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring the cream and butter to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add the lemon juice and the zest and reduce the volume by almost half.
• Remove from heat.
• Have your cooked and drained pasta (I like fettucine for this one -- ) ready to go.
• Add the pasta to your skillet with the sauce and toss to coat over medium heat.
• Add the cheese and toss for a few more seconds.
• Serve with additional cheese.
• Note: Marcella calls for the zest of 4 (!) lemons, but I thought it a bit over the top -- just me.