200
Lemons, olive oil, basil ... the only other ingredient needed is sun.
1/2 lb (250g) spaghetti
juice of 3-4 lemons, preferably Amalfi lemons
2/3 cup (150ml) olive oil
5 ounces (140g) Parmesan, freshly grated
2 handfuls of fresh basil, leaves picked and finely chopped
finely grated lemon zest, optional
Cook the spaghetti in a generous amount of boiling salted water, then drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
Meanwhile, whisk the lemon juice with the olive oil, then stir in the Parmesan— it will melt into the mixture, making it thick and creamy. Season with sea salt and black pepper and add more lemon juice to taste.
Add the sauce to the spaghetti and shake the pot so that each strand of pasta is coated with the cheese. Finally, stir in the chopped basil and, ideally, some grated lemon zest.
Excerpted from River Café London: Thirty Years of Recipes and the Story of a Much-Loved Restaurant by Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray, Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli. Copyright © Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray 1995. Published in the United States by Borzoi Books an imprint of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.
Subscribe to Chatelaine!
Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.