This wild onion relative is not only one of the first signs of spring, it is delicious. Grill, or make chef Prei’s pasta sauce. Mona’s Mushrooms had some at the market last week.
Ramp and Pecorino Cream Sauce
| 1 bunch | fresh ramps, washed and cleaned, leaves only (keep the stems to grill on the barbecue another time) |
| salt and freshly-cracked pepper to taste | |
| 500 ml | cream |
| 1 bunch | fresh basil |
| 250 g | Pecorino, finely grated |
Place the cream in a pot and simmer until the cream is reduced by half on medium high heat. Stir once in a while. Add the ramps and basil to the cream and puree with a hand blender or in a blender. Add the Pecorino and season with salt and pepper. Keep hot.
Peas, Asparagus, Morel Mushrooms and Melted Cherry Tomatoes
| 100 g | morel mushrooms, cleaned, cut in rings |
| 250 g | cherry tomatoes, cut in half |
| 8 stalks | asparagus, cut in rings |
| 100 g | peas (fresh or frozen) |
| extra virgin olive oil | |
| salt to taste |
Heat up a big frying pan (big enough so you can add the cream sauce and toss the spaghetti in) on medium high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and morel mushrooms and season with salt. Sauté for about 3 minutes, then add the cherry tomatoes, season them with salt, stirring constantly. Once they start falling apart, add the cream sauce and bring to a boil. Stir in the asparagus and peas and cook for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and toss in the spaghetti.
Citrus Spaghetti
| 300 g | spaghetti |
| salt | |
| 1 | preserved lemon, pits removed, skin finely diced |
| extra virgin olive oil | |
| zest of 1 lemon |
Bring a pot with water to a boil and season with salt. Add the spaghetti and cook al dente. Drain and add the olive oil, lemon zest, preserved lemon dices and season with salt. Toss with the cream sauce and serve. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Serves 2.