Description
Jamie Oliver’s pasta primavera celebrates spring vegetables with a light, creamy sauce that brings fresh garden flavors to your plate. Crisp zucchini, tender asparagus, and sweet peas dance through al dente pasta, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g (14.1 oz) tagliatelle pasta or spaghetti or penne
- 350 g (12.3 oz) asparagus
- 2 small courgettes (zucchini)
- 100 g (3.5 oz) pancetta
- 2 large eggs
- 60 g (2.1 oz) crème fraîche
- 1 handful freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra for serving
- ½ lemon
- olive oil
- ½ bunch fresh mint
Instructions
- Preparation: Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a vigorous boil, creating the perfect foundation for cooking pasta.
- Vegetable Transformation: Expertly slice asparagus and courgettes into elegant ribbons using a vegetable peeler, preparing them for the vibrant dish.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk eggs, crème fraîche, Parmesan, and lemon zest into a harmonious blend, seasoning with salt and black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Pasta and Pancetta Cooking: Submerge tagliatelle in boiling water, simultaneously sizzling pancetta in olive oil until achieving a crisp, golden-brown texture that releases rich, savory notes.
- Combining Elements: Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid, then artfully merge the cooked pasta with pancetta, mint leaves, vegetable ribbons, and the luxurious egg-based sauce.
- Final Touches: Adjust sauce consistency by introducing reserved pasta water, creating a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to the pasta strands.
- Presentation: Garnish with additional mint leaves and a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese, serving immediately to capture the dish’s vibrant freshness and intricate flavors.
Notes
- Prep Ribbons Carefully: Use a vegetable peeler to create thin, delicate ribbons of asparagus and courgettes for an elegant texture and even cooking.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Keep reserved pasta water handy to adjust sauce thickness, ensuring a smooth, silky coating on the pasta.
- Time Pasta Precisely: Follow package instructions closely, cooking tagliatelle for 8-10 minutes to maintain perfect al dente texture.
- Handle Pancetta Wisely: Sauté pancetta until golden and crisp to maximize flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: UK
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg