Spelt Noodle Crab Pasta
This fresh spelt noodle crab pasta recipe highlights the delicate sweetness of BC crabmeat in every bite, complemented by the creamy richness of ricotta cheese and the aromatic flavor of fennel. This dish pairs wonderfully with CedarCreek Pinot Gris or Steamworks Lions Gate Lager, making it a versatile choice for wine or beer enthusiasts alike.Ingredients
Serves 4
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground saffron
2 ice cubes
7 oz (200 g) ricotta cheese
2 to 4 tbsp (30 to 60 ml) olive oil, divided
1 lb (450 g) spelt linguine
1 large bulb fennel, trimmed, fronds reserved for garnish
kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large lemon, zest and juice
1 lb (450 g) Dungeness crabmeat and claw meat, picked over and any shells discarded
homemade or store-bought hot chili oil, for garnish
* Saffron is usually available in strands. Use a small mortar and pestle to grind it into a fine powder, or just finely crush it between your fingers.
Instructions
- Place saffron in a small bowl or jar. Add ice cubes and let sit at room temperature until ice is fully melted, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place ricotta in a blender, add 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (or up to 2 tbsp/30 ml if ricotta is dry) and blend until smooth, scraping down sides of blender with a rubber spatula as needed. Transfer whipped ricotta to a small bowl and set aside.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add a couple good pinches of salt and cook pasta until al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large frying pan or sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) olive oil. Finely slice fennel bulb before adding to pan. Season fennel with salt and pepper and sauté, stirring often, until wilted and softened with a bit of colour, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and bloomed saffron and continue to sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in lemon zest and juice.
- Once pasta is cooked, remove and reserve 1 cup (250 ml) cooking water before draining pasta in a colander. Stir pasta into fennel mixture. Stir in ricotta and thin as desired with reserved pasta water to make a creamy, emulsified sauce. Fold in three-quarters of the crabmeat.
- Divide pasta among warm serving bowls. Garnish with remaining crabmeat, some torn fennel fronds and a drizzle of chili oil. Enjoy.