Lemons Popping Up All Around Me

Went on a date with my husband last night, had a wonderful pizza at our local Italian resturaunt then did a bit of shopping. We spotted these bright summery dishes with the lemon design and had to have them for our evening meals outside on the cafe table. We also discovered these wonderful Italian Bormioli limoncello glasses. I HAD to have those ! Nothing was wildly expensive, probably cheaper than a supply of summer time paper plates. Two dinner plates, two salad plates and one serving bowl, thats all we need for our romantic summer meals outside.
Our first meal on them will be a wonderful lemon pasta recipe that is perfect for hot summer nights.

Lemon Pasta
1 pound long pasta
1 cup fresh chopped parsley
2 medium cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
zest & juice of two lemons
3/4 cup toasted pine nuts
salt & pepper
garnish: lemon wedges
Mix together the oil, garlic, parsley and lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper. Add the toasted pine nuts, stir well, and allow to sit for a couple of hours for the flavors to meld. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until it is al dente. Just before draining, remove a small cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta, and return it to the pot with the lemon sauce over high heat. Add a little pasta water to prevent it from drying out. As soon as it is piping hot, remove from the heat and serve. Scoop the pine nuts off the bottom of the pot to top the pasta, and serve with a wedge of lemon. Optional: Grilled shrimp are very tasty on top of this pasta too. Serves 4 to 6.
And a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese is delightful on top.

recipe from http://www.nikibone.com/recipe/pasta/lemonpasta.htm