No Nonsense Nosh with Nigella - Mushroom and Lemon Linguine Laced with Thyme

I have a secret love affair with Nigella Lawson. (I guess after that confession, it's not so secret anymore)   ;)

I just love watching her cook. I also love listening to the dulcet tones of her voice as she explains this or that. ("Blitzing" pea soup in the blender or food processor) But the thing that makes her absolutely adorable is when she is eating what she made.  (especially when she is raiding the refrigerator in her nightgown... LOL)

She always eats with such relish that one cannot help but feel the hunger pangs wishing for a big bite of whatever it was she just made. (like margarita ice cream)

I was watching her the other day and she made this delicious Mushroom and Lemon linguine dish, that required absolutely NO cooking whatsoever (other than boiling the pasta).  It sounded delicious, except for one thing.  I am normally not a warm mushroom person.  Oh, I like raw mushrooms in my salad, and I, of course, like them sautéed, puréed and even flambéed, but not really just warmed up by hot noodles.

Since it was obviously delicious, or at least she made me believe so, I decided to tweak it just a little.  Thus is was that instead of simply slicing mushrooms and dumping hot pasta over the top, I have chosen to saute the mushrooms first, in the Julia Child method.  "DON'T CROWD THE PAN" or they will simply give up their liquid and steam instead of sautéing.

Nigella's Mushroom and Lemon Linguine

8 oz Cremini Mushrooms; Sliced
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus a little extra for sauteing the mushrooms
2 tsp Kosher salt
Small clove garlic, Grated
1 Large Lemon, zested and juiced (or 1 1/2 medium or small lemons)
4 sprigs fresh thyme; leaves stripped off; about 3/4 tsp (I highly recommend Lemon Thyme)
16 oz Linguine
About 1/2 cup freshly chopped Italian Parsley
4 TB Parmigiano-Reggiano freshly grated
Freshly ground black pepper

Select mushrooms that do not have exposed gills, this means they are getting old. (well, unless you are buying "Portobellos")

Slice the mushrooms and begin heating olive oil in a skillet set over medium heat. (or you can skip the sautéing and do this Nigella's way)

Add the mushrooms to the hot oil, not quite covering the bottom of the pan (you will have to work in batches)

Allow each side to brown lightly using a pair of tongs to turn the mushrooms over. (yes, I know this will take awhile... Nigella's way was much faster)

Move each completed batch to a small bowl.

Season with Salt, Garlic, Lemon Zest, and Thyme leaves. (I just grated the Garlic on the lemon zester)

Drizzle with strained Lemon Juice.

Chop the Parsley.

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions and reserve 1/2 cup of the water.

Drain pasta and place in a warm bowl and pour the olive oil over then toss to coat.

Add the Mushroom mixture and toss.

Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and toss again.

Add the Parsley and toss 1 more time.

If the sauce seems thick, add the reserved pasta water and toss again.

 Serve immediately.

I must admit that I consumed this dish with great exuberance.  Very light and refreshingly delicious.  Like Summerthyme in a bowl.  YUM!

I noticed, about half way through cooking and snapping pictures, that I had an audience.  LOL

Mangia!!
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Thyme For Tea and Quick Bread - Lemon Thyme Tea Bread

I sometimes forget, in my obsession with all things coffee, that I truly enjoy a good cup of tea every now and then.  Darjeeling and Earl Grey being my favorites.  Though I must be honest; I enjoy my tea more when it is accompanied by little sweet treats.  Yes, you can have coffee cake with your coffee, but those delightfully English contributions to the "art" of tea consumption are phenomenal.

This "Tea Bread" is near and dear to my taste buds.  It's a harmonious partner to Darjeeling and, to top it off, it has one of those slightly unexpected ingredients that sounds odd, but once you taste it you will smack your forehead and exclaim, "Why have I not been doing this my whole life!"

Prepare yourself for the epiphany of.........       Lemon Thyme Bread.

It doesn't sound all that transcendental at first, until you realize that this is a sweet quick bread, complete with a delightful lemon glaze.  There is just something special about the lemony herbal zing of Lemon Thyme that works so well in this bread.  Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Lemon Thyme Tea Bread

Printable Recipe
6 TB Unsalted Butter
1 cup (199 g) (7 oz) Granulated Sugar
2 cups (275 g) (9.8 oz) AP Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
2 Large Eggs
1 TB Lemon Zest (about 1 Lemon)
4 TB Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice; Divided
2 TB Fresh Lemon Thyme, chopped
2/3 cup (175 ml) Whole Milk
1/2 cup (65 g) (2.3 oz) Confectioners' Sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees, then butter and flour a 9x5 bread pan. (Yes, I drug out the old Corningware again...  LOL)

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine Butter and Sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk the AP Flour, Baking Powder and Kosher Salt together, then set aside.

When the Butter/Sugar is light and fluffy, add the eggs 1 at a time; beating well until fully incorporated before adding the next.

Add the Lemon Zest, and 2 TB of the Lemon Juice, mixing well until distributed throughout the batter.

Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the Milk and Flour mixture alternating, beginning and ending with the Flour. (You know the drill....  about 1/3 of the Flour, 1/2 of the Milk, 1/2 the remaining Flour, the remaining Milk, the remaining Flour)

Fold in the Lemon Thyme.

Spread the resulting batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick, inserted in the center of the bread, comes out clean.

Remove the bread from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack set over a piece of waxed paper. (too catch the glaze run-off)

In a small pitcher, combine Confectioners' Sugar and the remaining 2 TB of Lemon Juice, stirring until a thin glaze is formed.

Pour the glaze over the top of the warm loaf once it has been removed from the pan.

Allow to dry for 10 minutes before serving.

I know, it will be hard to wait....   Brew some Darjeeling while you are waiting.

MMMMMMMM  Delicious!

Mangia!!
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