Pasta Day Before Shopping Sauce Recipe

Are Your Cupboards Bare?

I've named this recipe the Pasta Day Before Shopping Sauce. As it suggests, it's the perfect recipe to use when you have eaten just about everything down and are due for a trip to the supermarket.

I only shop once a fortnight. I can top up with fresh fruit and some vegetables locally if I must, but mostly I wait until we can visit the city for a real stock up.

I've found that most of the ingredients in this recipe tend to be the only ones remaining after a fortnight. I grow my own basil, and I'll often substitute lemon juice from a bottle if I have to. You could also use finely chopped preserved lemon in this recipe. Experiment with what you have in the pantry.

Note:

This is just the sauce recipe. You'll need to decide on the pasta you want to use with it and how much you will need. I'd recommend luscious long spaghetti - but remember, it's the day before shopping, so you'll have to make do with whatever you have on hand.

The recipe will make enough for 4 people as a main course. It isn't suitable to freeze and really tastes best eaten straight away.

pasta day before shopping sauce

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: NIL
SERVES: 4

1/3 cup of good extra virgin olive oil
zest of 3 lemons
½ cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic, smashed and chopped
80g (3 ounces) parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 cup of basil leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Add lemon juice and oil to a small bowl and whisk until the mixture is well combined and silky. Stir in the garlic and parmesan cheese.

If your basil leaves are very large you will need to tear them in half. Try to use small leaves that can be used whole.

Once your pasta is cooked, drained and back in its cooking pot pour over the lemon sauce, the rind and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Toss well to combine.

Serve with extra parmesan and a salad if you have it.

Pasta Day Before Shopping Sauce: Elegant in its simplicity.

Tip:

In winter, perch a soft poached egg on the top of each serving. Gently pierce the golden yolk and a flood of sunshine will light up the whole plate. Delicious, nutritious and warming.

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