…And the livin’ is easy

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

&

• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  I love nuts and thought I’d try adding pine nuts to the mix and I have to say, I think it makes the dish. I’ve been meaning to write Giada and tell her!  I’m guessing about a 1/2 cup for four people, but I usually just grab a big handful and toast them in my toaster oven for a couple of minutes. 

As always, I recommend using the freshest, purest ingredients available:  organic, non-gmo…please join us in supporting those growers/suppliers/vendors who care about your health and the health of our planet.

Directions:  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta (reserve some of the water) and transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.

While the water is coming to a boil, I mix the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper together so the flavors can start to infuse the oil. Then, make sure when the pasta is cooked (al dente!) that you immediately put the (drained) hot pasta on top of the olive oil and toss to combine. The heat of the pasta will help all the flavors come together.

Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Add the fish to the pan and cook until medium-rare, about 2 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish. Remove the salmon from the pan.

I use my grill pan to cook the salmon, but however you cook it, make sure you get enough initial heat to sear, making it crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. I cook the salmon and have it resting/waiting a couple of minutes rather than having the pasta waiting for the salmon, but either way…everything should only take a few minutes prep.

Add the basil, capers, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the spaghetti mixture and toss to combine.

Set out 4 serving plates or shallow bowls. Place 1/2 cup spinach (and/or arugula) in each bowl. Top with 1/4 of the pasta. (Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.) Top each mound of pasta with a piece of salmon. Serve immediately.

Note: Be sure to reserve some of the pasta water. When you add the pasta to the olive oil mixture, allow a little pasta water too. The starchy pasta water is essential in bringing pasta sauces together…so always allow and/or add a bit to your sauce and always save at least an additional cup or so just in case. It’s great to have if you need to re-heat/revive a bit before serving.   

You can also drizzle a little more olive oil over the pasta after adding the basil and lemon if you see it needs it. I usually finish with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper and sea salt. You can reserve a bit of fresh basil to top/garnish, too.