
This homemade bowtie pasta is paired with tender squid and crisp broiled tentacles for a rustic seafood dinner with bright lemon flavor. A quick pan sauce brings everything together, making it a striking dish for a special weekend meal.
Make the batter for the squid. Place 1 cup of cake flour on a work surface and make a well in the center. Add 1 egg and 1 tbsp olive oil, then mix with your fingers until a smooth, thick batter forms.


Coat one portion of the squid tentacles in the batter and arrange them in a lightly oiled oven-safe dish. Broil at 400F for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly crisp. Keep warm.


Prepare the pasta dough. Add the remaining 1 cup cake flour, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp olive oil, and the zest of the Meyer lemon to the remaining batter. Mix into a firm dough, adding a little more flour if sticky or a few drops of lemon juice if too dry. Shape into a ball, dust with flour, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest for 15 minutes.


Roll the dough on a floured surface until it is about as thick as a coin. Lightly brush the surface with warm water, then cut into 1 x 2-inch rectangles. Pinch each piece in the center to form bowties. Dust with flour and let them dry for a few minutes.


Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining squid tentacles. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until they sizzle, then add the fresh bowtie pasta and optional granulated garlic. Pour in enough boiling water to just cover the pasta, bring to a boil, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the squid is tender.


Stir the cornstarch into the remaining liquid in the skillet and simmer briefly until lightly thickened. Plate the pasta and squid, spoon over the sauce, top with the crispy broiled tentacles, and finish with chopped parsley before serving.
If Meyer lemon is unavailable, use regular lemon. Fresh pasta cooks quickly, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking, and serve the squid as soon as it is done so it stays tender instead of turning rubbery.




