No, that’s not a typo! Valentine’s Day was last week; this week, I’m introducing you to Valentina. She is one of my good blog friends, and a wonderful cook/chef. She writes the blog Cooking on the Weekends.
As it is in many households these days, she has many different food requirements to consider among both family and guests, and you probably do too. You can find a lot of great gluten-free and vegetarian recipes on her blog.
I have cooked quite a few of her dishes, and they always turn out really well. She’s a master at blending flavors, textures, and colors, and her photography is beautiful. Many of her recipes have a Southwestern flare, which feels homey to us in Tucson.
Today, I’m sharing my version of one of her recipes. The timing of this post is perfect, as this is the season in which you can get Meyer lemons in the stores and markets. She served it on spaghetti, but we have enjoyed it on several forms of pasta, including on this beautiful turmeric, lemon, and black pepper farfalle given to us by our friends Susan and Towny.
~ David
Adapted from Valentina’s recipe on Cooking on the Weekends
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John / Kitchen Riffs
February 19, 2022 at 9:14 amWe should all celebrate Valentina’s Day! She’s a terrific cook, and creates some extremely imaginative recipes. I love lemon, and it’s wonderful with pasta. Perfect recipe to serve with that interesting turmeric, lemon, and black pepper farfallale. Hmmm, maybe pasta for dinner tonight? 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:54 pmThanks, John! I found so many good recipes on Valentina’s site. This is a particularly wonderful one!
Valentina
February 19, 2022 at 10:13 amDavid, thank you so much for this. I love how you’ve adapted the recipe, and the turmeric-lemon farfalle sounds and looks like it was made for this recipe. (And what a great label.) You are so kind and have already my day! xo Valentina
Christina Conte
February 19, 2022 at 5:46 pmYou’re a star, Valentina!! Well-deserved post, and I agree wholeheartedly with David! Brava!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:55 pmYou are so welcome, Valentina! I find so much inspiration on your site.
Eha
February 19, 2022 at 3:13 pmAm smiling, David – as you knew I would ! Delightfully this seems to have become Valentina’s Week for me, having reposted some of her innovative ”wrap’-style recipes yesterday 😉 ! This one I had missed but love . . . such simple but definite tastes I shall probably try with a wide noodle as well . . . in a wee while as my Meyer tree fruits in June . . . thyme nods its head behind the kitchen door all year . . . . inviting photography : pasta oft does not ask to be pictured !!!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:56 pmI know you will love this, Eha. The flavors are simple but wonderful, and it’s such a breeze to put together. Thanks so much for the kind words about photographing pasta. I know what you mean, and I work hard to make it look good.
sippitysup
February 19, 2022 at 4:41 pmI “heart” Valentina! GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:57 pmWhat’s not to “heart “?
Christina Conte
February 19, 2022 at 5:48 pmI love Valentina’s site and Valentina, herself! She’s as lovely a person as she is a talented recipe developer, cook, photographer and writer! Thanks for sharing this recipe, David, I don’t know if I have even seen it on her site!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:58 pmThis one caught my eye right away! It came out just as Meyer lemons were beginning to ripen in peoples gardens here in Tucson. I’ve made it so many times since. You and Valentina are two of the first bloggers I met, and you’re both so wonderful and creative. It’s great to be in good company.
Chef Mini
February 20, 2022 at 6:52 amThis is beautiful. I heart Valentina as well. I have a thought… can you possibly make your font color a little darker? I have good eyes, but the pale grey is really touch to see against the white background. I only thought I’d mention it because it might be challenging for others as well.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:58 pmThanks Mimi. I set the color as dark as I possibly can. I hope it’s better now… Let me know!
Eha
February 20, 2022 at 10:50 pmDavid – I very much agree with Mimi re the font colour ! I have had big problems reading and seeing my own responses . . . just thought I was alone with Covid eyes !!! Hugs . . .
Carolyne
February 20, 2022 at 8:23 amWow, that dish looks amazing! I am not sure there is a better taste combination than lemon and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 20, 2022 at 9:58 pmThey are, indeed, a wonderful combination, Carolyne. I think you and Andrew would enjoy this.
Marcelle
February 21, 2022 at 9:30 amI live for simple and flavorful recipes like this one, David. Thanks so much for sharing about Valentina and for sharing this recipe! I already know we will all enjoy dish! That pasta is so pretty!!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2022 at 8:48 amThis recipe is perfect when one is as busy as you are! It literally takes a couple of minutes to make!
Susan Manfull
February 21, 2022 at 2:21 pmThis is a particularly drop-dead-gorgeous post, David. I am glad that you like the pasta — I wish I knew how to get more as your preparation for this pasta looks like it would be great! I know the preparation itself is yummy because Towny made it with spaghetti for us a few weeks ago. As always, thank you for sharing your creations with us!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2022 at 8:49 amI first made it with spaghetti, too — and it was great. I think any good shape that will hold the sauce is perfect for this.
Jeff the Chef
February 22, 2022 at 8:41 amWhat a nice cominabion of flavors! Lemon and cheese. I’m so curious to know what the combination of Meyer lemon and regular lemon (there must be a better word that “regular”) is like. I love Valentina’s blog. Thanks for this beautiful nod to her!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2022 at 8:51 amFunny, Jeff — I thought of saying Lisbon lemon but most people don’t know what that is, so I went with regular. I used the combination of zests because I wanted it a little more lemony and that did the trick.
Raymund
February 23, 2022 at 6:32 pmNice and simple, this is what I love with Italian food, rather than messing an ingredient with a lot of flavors, just use a good quality ingredient to its extent.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2022 at 8:52 amThat is exactly why I love Italian food, too, Raymund. So simple and so good! The ingredients really shine!
2pots2cook
February 25, 2022 at 1:06 amBig big hug to Valentina and you! Enjoy your weekend!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2022 at 8:52 amThanks, Davorka!
Inger
March 7, 2022 at 1:51 pmThis looks lovely David. And you are still kind of the pun!
Inger
April 16, 2022 at 8:10 pmOops that would be king of the pun!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 16, 2022 at 9:14 pmOh, gosh – I somehow missed your first comment! And probably would have read it correctly!
John
March 19, 2022 at 6:09 pmI adore the combination of pasta and lemon. So refreshing, light and easy. I’ll have to check out Valentina’s blog!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 20, 2022 at 6:58 amThis pasta has been made so many times this season. Already looking forward to the return of Meyer lemons.