Image Credit: Pinterest
Quick, delicious and begging for fresh ingredients, this simple summer pasta will impress guests even on the hottest of days.
Let's get into it!
Ingredients:
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Small onion, finely diced
- 800g zucchini sliced into ¼ inch-thick pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced, or 2 tablespoons chopped green garlic
- 2 cups of loose-leaf basil
- 400g of your favourite pasta (Conchiglie always goes down a treat!)
- 1 cup of ricotta
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup of parmesan or pecorino, plus more for serving
Instructions:
Step 1:
Place a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons of olive oil for 5-8 minutes or until they've softened. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until rather soft. Turn off heat.
Step 2:
Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to grind garlic, basil, and a little salt into a rough paste (you can also use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Step 3:
Salt the pasta water well, place in the pasta, then stir. Boil as per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
Step 4:
Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check the seasoning and adjust, cooking for 1 more minute. The mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir together. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.
Voilà! It's time to sit back and enjoy your creation with a cold beverage and good company.
Whilst this dreamy summer pasta is a breeze to make, sometimes cheffing in the kitchen can take a little effort. Staying cool as a cucumber is key during the warmer months and as the old saying goes, 'temperature starts at the windows!'. Here are a few of our favourite summer blinds and shutters.
Cost-effective, simple and versatile, the timeless roller blinds are your best friend this summer. Simply roll the fabric up to increase the level of light or roll down to minimise both glare and heat to help maintain comfortable living indoors.
Love the idea of regular roller blinds but need a little extra functionality? Double roller blinds will be right up your alley. Half Price Blinds double roller range combines two different types of blinds in a practical, streamlined package. The layer closest to the window utilises a sheer or sunscreen fabric for excellent heat repelling qualities. The blinds have an additional blockout fabric layer that not only keeps out a substantial amount of light and heat but also offers complete privacy.
Aluminium shutters are another fantastic indoor window treatment to insulate the home and beat the heat this summer. Tasteful, robust and a perfect match for any contemporary room, aluminium shutters block up to 70% more light than traditional alternatives. Their water-resistant properties also make them perfectly suited for placement in splash zones like kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms.
Interested in summer blinds for your home? Why not get in touch! You can reach us via Facebook or by calling my Australian customer support team on 1300 699 041, and they'll beat any competing in-store or online blinds quote you may have by a huge 10 percent!
You can find all of our shutters, awnings, curtains and blinds online for the lowest prices, guaranteed. Plus, we deliver Australia-wide from Perth to the east coast and offer free shipping on metro orders over $449. For all other orders, shipping is $27.
Toodles!
H x
