WHOLE-WHEAT SPAGHETTI WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ARUGULA

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Goat Cheese and Arugula image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 red onions, sliced thin, plus additional red onion, diced fine, for garnish
6 garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
3/4 cup (about 6 ounces) soft mild goat cheese such as Montrachet
4 bunches of arugula (about 1 pound), the stems discarded and the leaves washed well, spun dry, and chopped (about 8 cups)
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted lightly and chopped
1/3 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan
1/2 cup finely shredded fresh basil or parsley leaves

Steps:

In a large skillet cook the sliced onions, the garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until the onions are golden around the edges, remove the skillet from the heat, and keep the mixture warm. In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the spaghetti until it is al dente, reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water, and drain the spaghetti well. In a serving bowl whisk the goat cheese with the reserved cooking water until it is melted and the mixture is smooth, add the spaghetti, the onion mixture, the arugula, the walnuts, the grated cheese, the basil or parsley, and salt and pepper to taste, and toss the mixture well. Garnish the pasta with the diced onion.