This pasta dinner is so beautiful and tasty, you could serve to guests. Or serve it on meatless Mondays to your family. It's quick and easy to prepare. Serve with a crusty loaf of bread and a side salad, if you wish.
1 large lemon, washed and dried
3 1/2 - 4 oz. Parmesan cheese, cut into chunks
1/3 c. good quality olive oil
1 heaping T. crushed red peppers
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c. whole black oil cured olives, pitted
fresh parsley
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3/4 lb. thin spaghetti
chopped walnuts, for garnish
Peel the zest from lemon, getting only the yellow part. Place zest in a small food processor with the cheese; process until finely ground. There should be about 1 cup when finished. Set aside.
Cook pasta to al dente, according to directions, about 6 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet; add crushed red peppers and garlic; heat gently and let the peppers and garlic sizzle for 1-2 minutes to infuse flavor into the oil. DO NOT brown the garlic. Add the lemon juice, salt and black pepper, to taste.
Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
Add the pasta to the pan, along with the lemon/cheese and enough reserved pasta water to make a creamy sauce. Toss with the parsley. Garnish with chopped walnuts.
Serve immediately.
3-4 servings