Lemony Linguine with Seared Scallops and Asparagus

THIS ONE IS EASY PEASEY LEMON SQUEEZY!

I’m serious, it’s easy and it really leaves you feeling good after-fresh, light, and filling. This is a great dish to put together on a work night for your loved one or to impress guests when you are short on time. I hardly ever eat pasta, so when I do I don’t mind splurging on interesting varieties. If you have access to flavored pastas, try one out. I got my pasta at the Cherry Creek Farmers Market this past weekend from Pappardelles.
This recipe will work with several pasta flavor varieties… plain, lemon, garlic, sun dried tomato, or spinach.

Feel free to substitute free range chicken or fish for the scallops. If you choose chicken I would season it simple with EVOO, S+P, and lemon, and pop it on the grill. My scallops were cooked simply as usual…seared for about 2 min per side in a hot HOT pan with a little butter, S+P, and lemon juice.

Serves 4

Lemony Linguine
8 oz Pappardelles lemon pepper linguine (feel free to use any linguini you like) cooked al dente, about 8min
1 ripe organic tomato, diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 TB EVOO
1/4 c freshly grated parmesan or romano cheese
1/4 c chopped flat leaf parsley
A little salt
Fresh grated black pepper to finish

Toss all ingredients together and create a pasta ‘nest’ for your protein on the plate. Serve dish with steamed farmers market asparagus (or any other vegetable in season) and chicken, scallops, or fish!