Spring Vegetables and Lemon Butter Pasta - Chef Recipe by Elizabeth Hewson

Ingredients

160 g-200 g long dried pasta
Handful of broad beans, podded
1/2 cup Spring peas
6-8 spears asparagus
1 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
125mL (1/2 cup) dry white wine
3 zucchini flowers with small zucchinis attached, or 1 small zucchini
70 g The Organic Milk Co salted butter, cut into 5 or so cubes
Zest of 1 lemon plus juice
Handful of basil leaves, to serve
Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan to serve, grated

Method

Bring a large saucepan of water to a lively boil and season so it is as salty as the sea. Add the broad beans, asparagus and peas. Blanch for 1 minute, then scoop out and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Leave for a few minutes, then drain and dry on paper towel. If using broad beans, pod these again so you are left with the bright green beans.

Keep your water on a rapid boil. Cook pasta until al dente.

For the zucchini, thinly slice the little zucchinis and gently tear the flowers. If using a small zucchini, you can use a mandolin to get wafer-thin slices. Set aside. These do not need to be cooked ahead.

For the sauce, place a frypan with high sides over medium heat. Add olive oil and garlic and cook for 1 minute, then reduce the heat.

Add the wine and cook for about 3 minutes or until reduced by half. Add the butter cubes, one at a time, whisking well and allowing each to melt before adding the next. Keep whisking as you add the cubes. Season with salt, pepper and lemon zest. You should have a glossy, bright yellow sauce that has thickened slightly.

Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta straight into the lemon butter sauce along with a splash of pasta water to bring it together. Squeeze in the lemon juice and toss the pasta around the sauce for 20 to 30 seconds. Add a splash more pasta water if needed to loosen it.

Turn off the heat. Toss in the blanched Spring vegetables, zucchini slices and a small handful of grated cheese. Toss again, then finish with most of the zucchini flowers and basil leaves, reserving some to garnish. Toss and serve into bowls.

Serve with extra cheese, the remaining flowers and basil and a drizzle of olive oil just to say I love you.

Credits: Australian Organic Limited

Photo Credits: Australian Organic Limited