![]() |
Golden Egg Noodles with Crème Fraîche and Fresh Herbs
Served with sauteed cabbage with garlic
|
|
Serves 4
Prep time: 20 minutes Total time: 35 minutes |
Adapted from The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen by Peter Berley
- 1 green (preferably Savoy) cabbage (1-1/2 lbs.)
- 1 lemon, preferably organic
- 1 bunch flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 bunch chives
- 1 cup crème fraîche or make your own
- 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 lb. fresh egg fettucini or, make your own
Shopping List
- Black pepper
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves
- Red pepper flakes
- Sea salt
- Unsalted butter
Pantry Items
- Chef’s knife
- Heavy skillet
- Kitchen scissors
- Large stockpot or pasta pot
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Nonstick fry pan
- Paring knife
- Spatula
- Strainer
- Tongs
- Wooden spoons
- Zester or Microplane
Tools
- Wine: Pinot Grigio
- Dessert: Biscuits with Seasonal Fruit and Sweet Yogurt Cream from The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen p. 408
Suggestions
- When you walk in the door
- Fill the pasta pot 2/3 with water, add 2 tbsps. salt and put over high heat
- Get out Pantry Items
- Get out Tools
- Assemble the ingredients
- Open the wine and refrigerate it
- Prep
- Cut the cabbage in quarters. Cut out the heart. Cut the leaves into 1/2-inch wide strips.
- Peel and finely chop 1 clove garlic.
- Peel and cut 4 garlic cloves into thin slices.
- Zest the lemon until you have ½ tsp. zest. Cover the zest with a bowl so the flavor doesn’t evaporate.
- Cut the un-zested part of the lemon into wedges.
- Rinse and pat dry the parsley and the cilantro. Pluck 1 cup leaves from each.
- Fill a large bowl two-thirds full of ice water.
- Start Cooking
- When the water boils, add the cabbage and cook just until it is bright green and slightly softened, 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer the cabbage to the ice water to stop the cooking. When the cabbage is cold, drain it.
- Return the water to a boil.
- Get someone to set the table and pour yourself a glass of wine.
- Time to make the pasta sauce. Mince the parsley and the cilantro. Using scissors, snip 1 tbsp. chives.
- Put 2 tbsps. butter into the nonstick fry pan over medium heat. Add the 1 finely chopped garlic clove and sauté for 1 minute. Add the herbs and the lemon zest. Sauté for 30 seconds, then stir in the crème fraîche. Salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat.
- Heat 2 tbsps. olive oil in the heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute, or until pale gold. Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes (if you like your food a little spicy), the cabbage, and 1-2 tbsps. water. Season with salt, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- While the cabbage finishes cooking, put the pasta in the boiling water and stir. After about 3 minutes, when it floats to the surface, it will be cooked. Drain it.
- Return the skillet with the pasta sauce to medium heat. Add the pasta and toss to coat. Add the Parmigiano, toss again.
- Transfer the cabbage to a serving dish and garnish with the lemon wedges. Divide the pasta among four plates. Dinner is ready, you can take it to the table. Don’t forget the wine!









