A vibrant, colorful maze of al dente spaghetti threads tangled with bright green arugula and dotted with crimson cherry tomatoes. There's an appealing gloss from the soy-citrus sauce, a sprinkle of golden-brown toasted walnuts adorning the pasta, and a scattering of wispy Parmesan shavings hovering above. The scene is full of contrasting textures and popping colors.

Citrus-Soy Spaghetti aglio e olio with Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes

Name: Citrus-Soy Spaghetti aglio e olio with Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Spaghetti, 300g n/a; fresh Arugula, 2 cups n/a; Cherry Tomatoes, 1 cup halved; Olive Oil, 1/4 cup n/a; Garlic, 3 cloves finely chopped; Lemon, 1 Zest and Juice; Soy Sauce, 1 Tbsp n/a; Walnuts, 1 cup toasted; Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 cup shaved; Salt, to taste n/a; Black Pepper, to taste n/a

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Low-Carb

Daily Recipe: August 15, 2024

This intriguing yet delectable recipe blends the comfort of pasta with the freshness of summer produce and the bold flavors of fusion cuisine. Arugula, the star component, brings a unique and peppery note that is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of cherry tomatoes and the savory depth of a soy-citrus dressing. Finished with crunchy toasted walnuts and the earthy undertones of Parmesan, each bite offers an explosion of flavour. Simply irresistible!

Ingredients (for 4)

Spaghetti - 300g - n/a
Fresh arugula - 2 cups - n/a
Cherry tomatoes - 1 cup - halved
Olive oil - 1/4 cup - n/a
Garlic - 3 cloves - finely chopped
Lemon - 1 - Zest and Juice
Soy sauce - 1 Tbsp - n/a
Walnuts - 1 cup - toasted
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup - shaved
Salt - to taste - n/a
Black pepper - to taste - n/a

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍝💦🍲

Boil the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water until it's al dente. Make sure to keep 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
Step 2 - 🍳🧄🔥

Heat the olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook until it releases its aroma but is not yet browned.
Step 3 - 🍅🍋💧

In the pan with the garlic, add the soy sauce, lemon juice, and zest. Bring it to a simmer. Then, add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they're just heated.
Step 4 - 🍝🥘🔄

Place the cooked spaghetti into the pan with the sauce. Toss it around to ensure it's fully coated. If the pasta seems too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water.
Step 5 - 🌿🥘🧂

Turn off the heat, then add the fresh arugula to the pan. Toss it around until it wilts slightly. Season the dish to your taste with salt and black pepper.
Step 6 - 🍝🧀🌰

Serve the spaghetti hot. Garnish it with the toasted walnuts and the shaved Parmesan cheese.

Additional

This pasta salad can be tailored to taste by replacing arugula with spinach or basil, cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes, and walnuts with pine nuts. It can also be served cold, making it an excellent choice for picnics or packed lunches. The kids can help by washing the produce or zesting the lemon!