Fettuccine With Asparagus, Lemon, Pine Nuts & Mascarpone

Name: Fettuccine With Asparagus, Lemon, Pine Nuts & Mascarpone
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 29.58 ml olive oil, more for the pan; 907.18 g medium-thick asparagus, ends trimmed,cut in 1 inch pieces on an angle; 8 scallions, cut in thin rounds (whites and tender greens); 2 finely grated lemons, zest of; 1 lemon, juice of (about 4 Tbs.); 3-5 sprig fresh thyme or 3-5 sprig fresh savory, leaves chopped; salt & freshly ground black pepper; 14.79 ml unsalted butter; 14.79 ml all-purpose flour; 236.59 ml whole milk; 236.59 ml mascarpone; 236.59 ml parmesan cheese or 236.59 ml romano cheese; 0.25 ml cayenne; 0.25 ml ground allspice; 177.44 ml homemade breadcrumbs; 453.59 g fresh fettuccine or 453.59 g dry fettuccine; 118.29 ml pine nuts, lightly toasted

Submitted by susie cooks

"Recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine"

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photo by Kitchen Witch Steph

Ready In:: 50mins
Ingredients:: 17
Serves:: 4

ingredients

29.58 ml olive oil, more for the pan
907.18 g medium-thick asparagus, ends trimmed,cut in 1 inch pieces on an angle
8 scallions, cut in thin rounds (whites and tender greens)
2 finely grated lemons, zest of
1 lemon, juice of (about 4 Tbs.)
3-5 sprig fresh thyme or 3-5 sprig fresh savory, leaves chopped
salt & freshly ground black pepper
14.79 ml unsalted butter
14.79 ml all-purpose flour
236.59 ml whole milk
236.59 ml mascarpone
236.59 236.59 ml parmesan cheese or 236.59 ml romano cheese
0.25 ml cayenne
0.25 ml ground allspice
177.44 ml homemade breadcrumbs
453.59 g fresh fettuccine or 453.59 g dry fettuccine
118.29 ml pine nuts, lightly toasted

directions

Heat the oven to 400F or 450°F (Note the slightly higher oven temperature when baking fresh egg pasta.) Lightly coat a large, shallow baking dish with olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the asparagus and blanch until tender but with a slight bite left to it, about 2 minute Scoop it from the water with a large slotted spoon, set it in a colander, and run it under cold water to preserve its green color.
Drain well.
Keep the water boiling for the pasta.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the scallions; sauté 1 minute to soften.
Add the asparagus and sauté briefly, about 1 minute Take the skillet off the heat and add half the zest, the lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper; mix well and reserve.
In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and flour over medium heat, whisking until smooth.
Cook for 1 min.
,whisking constantly, to cook away the raw taste of the flour.
Add the milk and cook, whisking all the while, until it comes to a boil.
Lower the heat a bit and cook until smooth and lightly thickened (about the consistency of heavy cream), 3 or 4 minute.
Turn off the heat and add the mascarpone, the remaining lemon zest, and 1/2 cup of the grana padano, whisking until the mixture is fairly smooth (there will be a slight grainy texture from the cheese).
Season with the cayenne, allspice, and more salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and the remaining grana padano.
Season with salt and pepper and add a drizzle of olive oil.
Mix well.
Return the cooking water to a full boil and cook the fettuccine, leaving it slightly underdone.
Drain well.
Return the fettuccine to the cooking pot.
Add the mascarpone sauce, the pine nuts, and the asparagus with all its juices.
Toss and taste for seasoning.
Pour into the baking dish and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
Bake uncovered until bubbling and golden, 15 to 20 minute Serve right away.

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Reviews

Very delicious flavor. Mine turned out a bit dry like Kitchen Witch, next time I will do what she suggested and use half the pasta (plenty for my family of four). Would also be good with a nice grilled chicken or shrimp to round out the meal. The whole family loved the flavor. Thanks for a nice change of pace!

Ricklish
This took some time to make and I had a lot of dishes to do but it had a great flavor. Mine did turn out a bit on the dry side. I hope I can perk up the leftover with a smidgeon of cream poured on top. if I did it again, I would cut the amount of pasta and asparagus in half but keep the rest of the amounts the same. I think there were too many breadcrumbs. I did add a splash of limocello and garlic to the asparagus saute and I added some chicken in to make it a heartier one dish meal for the family. Really phenomenal flavors I will say. I am very full right now.

Kitchen Witch Steph
Truly enjoyable!

rosslare
I also picked this recipe to use up some Mascarpone and was so glad I did! Although I thought this was a lot of work, the taste was worth every second. I also liked the idea of using the same water for the pasta and asparagus - and will be using that trick in future recipes. Thanks for sharing this keeper!

ellie_
Excellent! I was looking for a recipe to use up some Mascarpone and this fit the bill. Other than substituting panko for the breadcrumbs, I made the recipe as per the instructions. Great mix of flavours. The lemon and asparagus blend so beautifully with the mascarpone. We loved this dish and will make it again for sure.

Just Call Me Martha