Spaghetti with Shrimp, Lemon, Mint and Pecorino

By kathryns

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 pound spaghetti
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, halved
• 3/4 pound medium shrimp—shelled, deveined and halved lengthwise
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped mint, plus small leaves for garnish
• 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (3 ounces)
• 1 Fresno chile, thinly sliced

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 30mins
Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°. Spread the almonds in a cake pan and toast until golden, about 3 minutes. Let cool.

In a large saucepan of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes; discard the garlic. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, add to the skillet and cook, turning, until the shrimp are almost white throughout, about 2 minutes.

Add the pasta, pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped mint, 2/3 cup of the cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet and cook, stirring, until saucy, about 2 minutes; season with salt. Transfer the pasta to bowls, garnish with the toasted almonds, mint leaves, chile and remaining cheese and serve.