Summer's Garden Pasta Delight
Experience the essence of summer with this vibrant and fresh dish inspired by Athena Calderone of EyeSwoon. The Summer's Garden Pasta Delight combines the brightness of seasonal vegetables, the sweetness of strawberries, and the creamy richness of goat cheese, all brought together with a zesty lime citronette. This dish is perfect for a quick lunch or an elegant dinner, capturing the joy of warm weather dining in under 30 minutes.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
lime juice
1 teaspoon (freshly squeezed)
lime zest
1/4 teaspoon (grated)
honey
1 teaspoon (natural)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (extra virgin)
grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon
kosher salt
to taste
cracked black pepper
to taste
mini cucumber
1 (sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds)
strawberry
1/4 cup (sliced)
grape tomatoes
1/2 cup (halved)
serrano chili
1/8 teaspoon (minced)
mint leaf
1 teaspoon (chopped)
tarragon
1 teaspoon (chopped)
goat cheese
1 teaspoon (crumbled)
flaky sea salt
to taste (for garnish)
trumpette pasta
1/4 lb (or fusilli)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the citronette. In a small bowl, combine lime juice, lime zest, and honey. Gradually whisk in the olive and grapeseed oils until the mixture is well emulsified. Season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
2
Next, prepare the salad. In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, strawberries, halved grape tomatoes, and minced serrano chili. Add in the chopped mint and tarragon, then pour the citronette over the mixture.
3
Toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
4
Cook the trumpette pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and promptly run it under cold water to halt the cooking process. Add the cooled pasta to the salad bowl and toss to combine.
5
To finish, garnish the salad with crumbled goat cheese, extra mint and tarragon, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, and a touch of flaky sea salt before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Summer's Garden Pasta Delight?
Summer's Garden Pasta Delight is a vibrant and fresh pasta dish that combines seasonal vegetables, strawberries, and goat cheese with a zesty lime citronette.
Who inspired the Summer's Garden Pasta Delight recipe?
This recipe was inspired by Athena Calderone of EyeSwoon.
How long does it take to prepare this dish?
The dish can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick meal.
What are the primary ingredients in the citronette?
The citronette consists of lime juice, lime zest, honey, olive oil, and grapeseed oil, seasoned with salt and pepper.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for trumpette pasta, but fusilli can be used as a substitute.
How should the mini cucumber be prepared?
The mini cucumber should be sliced into rounds that are 1/2 inch thick.
What fruits are included in this pasta salad?
Sliced strawberries are included to add a touch of seasonal sweetness to the dish.
Is there any spice in this pasta dish?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/8 teaspoon of minced serrano chili for a hint of heat.
What herbs are used in Summer's Garden Pasta Delight?
The recipe uses fresh chopped mint leaves and tarragon.
How much pasta is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1/4 lb of trumpette pasta or fusilli.
How do you prepare the citronette?
Combine lime juice, zest, and honey in a bowl, then gradually whisk in the olive and grapeseed oils until emulsified.
What is the first step in assembling the salad?
In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, strawberries, halved grape tomatoes, and minced serrano chili.
How long should the pasta be cooked?
The pasta should be cooked in salted boiling water until al dente, which usually takes 8-10 minutes.
What should be done to the pasta after draining it?
It should be promptly run under cold water to halt the cooking process.
What type of cheese is used for the garnish?
The dish is finished with crumbled goat cheese.
How are the grape tomatoes prepared?
The grape tomatoes should be halved before being added to the salad.
What kind of oil is best for the citronette?
A combination of extra virgin olive oil and grapeseed oil is used.
Is there honey in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of natural honey is used to balance the lime in the citronette.
What type of salt is suggested for the final garnish?
Flaky sea salt is suggested for the final touch.
Can I use a different chili if I don't have serrano?
While the recipe specifies serrano, you can likely substitute with another mild chili or omit it if preferred.
What makes the citronette 'zesty'?
The combination of freshly squeezed lime juice and grated lime zest provides the zesty flavor.
How should the herbs be prepared?
Both the mint and tarragon should be finely chopped.
Is the dish served warm or cold?
Since the pasta is rinsed in cold water and mixed with fresh vegetables and fruit, it is served as a cold or room temperature pasta salad.
What is the specific preparation for the lime zest?
The lime zest should be grated, using about 1/4 teaspoon.
What is the purpose of the grapeseed oil?
Grapeseed oil is a neutral oil that helps emulsify the dressing without overpowering the other flavors.
How do you finish the dish before serving?
Garnish with crumbled goat cheese, extra herbs, cracked black pepper, and flaky sea salt.
Is this recipe suitable for an elegant dinner?
Yes, despite being quick to make, its vibrant colors and sophisticated flavors make it suitable for elegant dining.
What type of salt is used in the dressing?
Kosher salt is used to season the citronette to taste.
What should be the final texture of the pasta?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente to maintain a firm bite in the salad.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 16 ingredients used to create this dish.