menuclose

Naughty vs. Nice (A Valentine’s Day Story): Fettuccine Alfredo with Thai Red Curry and Lump Crab Meat

Imagine if you will…

A beautiful landscape.

Lush green meadow. Purple hyacinths. Monarchs. The veil of golden sun as it brushes your face.

You hear a song. It’s faint. You look to your right and you see…

A noodle. A fettuccine noodle to be exact. And it’s dancing, dancing with fronds of red curry all around its’ arms. Fiery. Hot.

Squinting, you lean farther to get a better look. Beads of sweat begin to collect on your brow.

The curried noodle is not alone. He has someone in his arms. And it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. Graceful and soft; supple and gleaming. She’s aesthetic in every way, shape, or form. The wispy pillow of crab meat dances effortlessly alongside noodle. Their steps in time, but their approach distinct. Where he is tight, she is forgiving. His passion for her burns in his eyes. She nurtures hers in her soul.

LOVE.

You exhale and your body shivers. You feel neither warm nor cold. You just are.

—————-

I was feeling a wee bit on the weird-creative side today. Thanks for listening to me as I just lay it all out there! Love you.

There was just something about this dish — the Fettuccine Alfredo with Thai Red Curry and Lump Crab Meat, that truly inspired me. The interplay of flavors as they harmoniously strung together but at the same time clashed violently against one another was so intriguing. There are familiar undertones to this pasta dish, with the Parmesan cheese and garlic anchoring it down as a traditional Alfredo sauce. And of course, the addition of feathery crab meat elevates it from deliciously simple to deliciously elegant. But the real star here is the Thai red curry.

It’s slightly spicy, slightly sweet. It has just the right amount of heat to tickle the back of your throat. And its’ mild toothsome qualities help carry the natural sweetness of the crab meat further, making for a delectable balance of flavors in your mouth.

Warmth. Gentleness. Surprising. Delightful. Vibrant. Inspiring.

Everything LOVE should be about.

This recipe serves 4, but if it’s just you and your special someone that’s fine, too. You’ll have leftovers to devour in bed the next morning. Oh, hot pie!

Fettuccine Alfredo with Thai Red Curry and Lump Crab Meat

Print the Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

 

1 box fettuccine

1 T. unsalted butter

1 garlic clove; minced

1 ¼ C. heavy cream

Salt, white pepper

½ C. grated Parmesan cheese

Juice of ½ lemon

1 T. Thai red curry paste*

Cayenne pepper; a pinch

1 small container good quality lump crab meat (I used Whole Foods Market brand)

Lemon zest

Italian flat-leaf parsley; chopped roughly

*Thai red curry paste can be found in your local grocers’ ethnic food aisle.

Cooking Instructions:

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once it’s ready, add a generous sprinkle of salt to the water. Add the fettuccine noodles; stir. Allow to cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. While this cooks, get started on the sauce.

In a large saucepan, add the butter and allow to melt slightly. Add in the garlic and fry slightly for about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream, salt, white pepper, lemon juice, and allow to come to a gentle boil; stirring. Lower the heat and add the Parmesan cheese. Once it’s melted thoroughly, add the Thai red curry and using a whisk, allow to incorporate into the sauce completely. Taste for seasonings. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and then gently stir in the lump crab meat.

Once the fettuccine noodles are cooked al dente, add them directly into the saucepan with the alfredo-thai red curry sauce and mix gently to combine. Feel free to add pasta water to loosen the sauce, if necessary.

Serve pasta in big bowls and garnish with lemon zest, parsley, and another sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

XO,

Steph

33 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • MichelleFebruary 9, 2011 - 6:03 pm

    This sounds incredible. It’s a combination of some of my favorite flavors!ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 9, 2011 - 6:37 pm

      Thanks Michelle!

      They are my favorite, too. I could eat a whole crab by myself, no doubt. :-pReplyCancel

  • ElaineFebruary 9, 2011 - 6:38 pm

    I love this beautiful valentine’s day story! So the noodle ran away with the crab? ahh… =)ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 9, 2011 - 7:20 pm

      Elainey,

      Can I just say that I tried typing your name but auto correct changed it to Slammer, LOL.

      I laughed really loud.

      Yes, the noodle ran away with the crab. :p

      He was over the spoon.ReplyCancel

  • JessicaFebruary 9, 2011 - 6:57 pm

    Happy Valentine’s Day! I kept on thinking that the Valentine’s atmosphere hasn’t exactly “arrived” yet… that is, until I read your fettuccine lump crab love story. I love the second photo with the cayenne pepper “heart”. Beautiful dish!!ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 9, 2011 - 7:22 pm

      Hey Jess,

      Thanks! The heart making process was fun ’till I scrubbed my eyes and nose with my fingers, which were laden with cayenne.

      Not fun. LOLReplyCancel

  • DodieFebruary 9, 2011 - 7:26 pm

    This sounds so good, fettuccine alfredo is one of my favorite foodReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 9, 2011 - 7:36 pm

      Hey Dodie!

      Yes, fettuccine alfredo is one of my all time favorites! So comforting and always hits the spot!ReplyCancel

  • Lora @cakeduchessFebruary 9, 2011 - 7:28 pm

    This looks caliente and dreamy:)Perfect pasta for a romantic date!! Love the cayenne corazon:)xxReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 9, 2011 - 7:37 pm

      Thanks Lora!

      LOL, you’re too funny. :pReplyCancel

  • […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CP, Stephanie Russell. Stephanie Russell said: New Blog Post: Naughty vs. Nice (A Valentine’s Day Story): Fettuccine Alfredo with Thai Red… http://goo.gl/fb/FO3kg […]ReplyCancel

  • lil @ sweetsbysillianahFebruary 9, 2011 - 8:05 pm

    love the story! =) but these noodles… now that’s love! i need to get my hands on some thai curry paste – red AND green b/c i keep seeing great recipes like these i want to try! thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 10, 2011 - 8:47 am

      Hey Lil,

      Yes, the curry pastes are so handy to have. Always got ’em stashed in my fridge!!ReplyCancel

  • Christina @ Sweet Pea's KitchenFebruary 9, 2011 - 11:11 pm

    I am loving this dinner! I love the addition of the curry paste…yummy! 🙂ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 10, 2011 - 8:48 am

      Hi Christina!

      I didn’t put a whole lot of curry paste in it, just enough to give it a slight sweet heat. Too much and I think it would overpower the delicateness of the crab, no? :-pReplyCancel

  • NatalieFebruary 10, 2011 - 10:18 am

    This looks beautiful, delicate, elegant and delicious! You paint a picture with your words today, love it!!ReplyCancel

  • alyceFebruary 10, 2011 - 1:38 pm

    love your photos.ReplyCancel

  • Island VittlesFebruary 10, 2011 - 11:38 pm

    Super yummy! And there’s some fresh dungeness crab mere metres off my favourite beach…hmmm, I feel a plan being hatched…

    As for your noodle dance, I couldn’t help but remember another noodle dance…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ42yWqRvb4ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 12, 2011 - 8:20 am

      Oh my gosh, Theresa, that was hilarious! Exactly what I needed on this Saturday morning. :-pReplyCancel

  • MonetFebruary 12, 2011 - 10:58 am

    Bring on the creative writing…I love it! And I also love this dish. I may have to change plans for V-Day dinner. Thank you for sharing, sweet friend. I hope you have a weekend that bursts forth with love, joy and good eats. Bring on the rest and relaxation!ReplyCancel

  • Chef DennisFebruary 12, 2011 - 10:16 pm

    what a colorful narrative for such a delicious pasta dish!! Thanks so much for sharing your creation!
    Cheers
    DennisReplyCancel

  • TiffanyFebruary 12, 2011 - 11:30 pm

    GRINNING EAR TO EAR! I love the narrative 🙂 He he!ReplyCancel

  • muppyFebruary 13, 2011 - 3:53 am

    This sounds delicious, I love something different, btw I love your creativeness 🙂ReplyCancel

  • torviewtorontoFebruary 13, 2011 - 8:20 am

    beautiful presentationReplyCancel

  • Christie {Nourishing Eats}February 14, 2011 - 8:30 am

    Yum, I just hopped over hear from how sweet it is to find this lovely dish. I LOVE thai red curry anything!!ReplyCancel

  • SusiFebruary 14, 2011 - 10:16 am

    You had me at Lump Crab Meat! Beautiful dish and even better sounding flavors. I’m bookmarking this for a special occasion meal. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • RitaFebruary 15, 2011 - 8:46 am

    Hi Steph! I’m not dead! I’m still alive, but I’ve been a little busy with my leg. Anyway, you’re doing great things with your blog! Tha’s amazing!! 🙂ReplyCancel

    • StephFebruary 15, 2011 - 8:57 am

      Hey Rita! Glad to see you! I was beginning to wonder where you ran off to! :-pReplyCancel

  • MaryFebruary 15, 2011 - 10:40 am

    Your recipe is really creative and interesting. Those of us who love crab are singing praises to your name :-). This is my first visit to your blog and I’ve spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I’ll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…MaryReplyCancel

  • KristenMarch 4, 2011 - 10:37 pm

    I just made this and it was great! What a creative use for red curry paste!ReplyCancel

  • | rulihe.comAugust 21, 2012 - 7:56 pm

    […] ;; you reblogging this food is making me seriously hungry and you can tell where my priorities lie if I reblog the food you’re reblogging, srsly o hod pasta. (Source: https://okiedokieartichokie.me/2011/02/naughty-vs-nice-a-valentines-day-story-fettuccine-alfredo-…) […]ReplyCancel

okie dokie artichokie

Serving Boston and Surrounding Areas