This is my version of comfort food. Imagine this: Friday night, a DVD, this pasta and a big glass of wine. Heaven.
The great thing about this pasta, other than it’s inherent deliciousness, is the speed at which it can be prepared. You need just a couple ingredients on hand, and you are in front of the TV in no time. So let’s call it lazy comfort food, as most traditional comfort food items seem to take a bit of time to prepare (think: macaroni and cheese, beef bourguignon, chicken pot pie . . .). This pasta is creamy, rich, and yet bright due to the addition of lemon juice and zest.
Here are a few tips:
Don’t buy pre-crumbled goat cheese because it won’t melt as well. You definitely want the goat cheese melt-y. Also, as I always recommend, zest your lemon with a microplane, so it’s light as a feather.
Pasta with Goat Cheese, Lemon and Asparagus
Adapted from Bon Appétit
1 pound fusilli or rotini pasta
1 pound asparagus spears, trimmed, cut into 1- to 1 ½-inch pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
Juice from ½ a lemon
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon (fresh basil can be substituted, although tarragon gives it a better depth of flavor), plus sprigs for garnish
1 5- to 5 ½-ounce log soft fresh goat cheese
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water for five minutes. Add asparagus pieces and cook until pasta is al dente (tender, but still firm to the bite), about 3 more minutes longer.
Meanwhile, combine oil, lemon peel, and chopped tarragon in large bowl. Coarsely crumble in goat cheese.
Drain pasta and asparagus, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Add hot pasta, asparagus, and 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid to bowl with cheese mixture. Toss to coat, adding more reserved liquid if dry. Add half the lemon juice and season pasta to taste with salt and pepper. Have a bite, and add more lemon juice if desired. Transfer to shallow platter. Garnish with tarragon sprigs. Serves 6.
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Thanks for a wonderful recipe! The creaminess of the goat cheese adds just a lovely zing to this. I work with Chavrie and this is a great recipe that I will share with everyone!