Pasta by Noodle Lab
Cover Pasta by Noodle Lab
Pasta by Noodle Lab

Learn how to cook four pasta recipes from Ally Lim-Gonzales of Noodle Lab

“I can give up rice, but not pasta,” admits Ally Lim-Gonzales who founded Noodle Lab, now a thriving business, with her husband Nico Gonzales during the pandemic. It all began because Nico wanted to do something thoughtful for his pasta-loving wife. “Nico decided to learn how to make pasta from scratch because cooking is his love language,” Ally shares. It soon consumed her too, and eventually became a beautiful obsession.

Ally stepped away from corporate life to fully focus on Noodle Lab, which was just her humble home-business passion project. Initially, she catered to home cooks only, but from just fresh pasta, Noodle Lab took things to the next level by developing meal kits, with pasta and produce, complete with step-by-step ingredients, helping people elevate an average dinner at home.

As word got out, the business grew; soon, restaurants were knocking on her door too. In 2022, the Noodle Lab commissary was created and Ally expanded to add three more pastai to the team. Together, they addressed the influx of fresh orders from individual customers to restaurant clients. She then tried her hand as a chef, with her first-ever pop-up series called Super Ugly Noods hosted at Ugly Duck. Just recently, Noodle Lab opened at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, and will be available there until September 30, 2024. “After that, we plan to put up a permanent restaurant in Makati, but maybe do a few more pop-ups before that’s finished,” she divulges. Noodle Lab is just getting started, and we cannot wait to see (and taste) what’s next. Here, Ally shares some of her pasta recipes.

See also: Off Menu 2024: Buy your tickets to Tatler Dining’s food festival

Fettucine Alfredo

Tatler Asia
Pasta by Noodle Lab
Above Pasta by Noodle Lab
Pasta by Noodle Lab

Ingredients

  • 250g Noodle Lab fresh tagliatelle
  • 1 cup finely grated 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 100g softened unsalted butter

(Serves 2 persons)

Procedure:

  1. Slice softened butter and place in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Finely grate the Parmåigiano Reggiano.
  3. Once your salted water is boiling in a deep stockpot, add the fresh tagliatelle and boil for 1-2 minutes (save the pasta water).
  4. Transfer the cooked pasta to the mixing bowl with the butter.
  5. Pour 3/4 cup pasta water into the bowl.
  6. Place grated Parmigiano Reggiano into the mixing bowl on top of the pasta.
  7.  Toss everything together in the bowl
    by rocking the contents back and forth to achieve mantecare (the proper mixing of pasta water, fat and cheese). You can also use a wooden spoon or tongs to help you combine everything well together.
  8. Serve immediately; top with more grated Parmigiano Reggiano or fresh truffles if you have it. 

See also: September 2024 Dining Radar: Kei Maki, Inatô’s new menu, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, and more

Bucatini Carbonara

Tatler Asia
Pasta by Noodle Lab
Above Pasta by Noodle Lab
Pasta by Noodle Lab

Ingredients

  • 250g Noodle Lab fresh bronze extruded bucatini 80g guanciale
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 60g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 30g grated pecorino Romano
  • 1 tsp toasted and then ground black peppercorns

(Serves 2 persons)

Procedure:

  1. Prepare the guanciale. With a knife, remove any skin that is still on the guanciale. Cut into cubes or strips.
  2. Transfer the guanciale into a cold pan. Now turn the heat to medium and render the guanciale till it is crispy and most of the fat has melted. Make sure to flip/stir the guanciale occasionally to avoid burning it. Once crispy, drain the guanciale in paper towels and save the rendered guanciale fat.
  3. Fill a deep pot with water till about halfway. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat.
  4. In a heat-proof metal or glass bowl, combine 2 egg yolks, 60g grated Parmigiano Reggiano, 30g grated pecorino Romano and 1 tbsp cracked black pepper. Place this bowl over the pot once the water is simmering (but not boiling) to create a double boiler. Continuously whisk the cheese and egg mixture until it is melted and smooth. If the water in the pot below starts to boil, turn the heat down. Continuously whisk the mixture and gradually add the rendered guanciale fat, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is very smooth. Set aside.
  5. Lightly salt (1 tsp) the water in the same pot that was used as a double boiler. Once it comes to a rapid boil, add the bucatini and boil for 1-2 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the cooked bucatini into the bowl with the cheese and egg mixture and immediately toss or stir to combine. Place the bowl back
    on top of the double boiler (heat should still be on) and stir constantly with tongs or toss to avoid scrambling the eggs. Add the guanciale in and toss some more. Add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce ( just half a ladle at a time).
  6. Plate and serve immediately with more grated pecorino Romano. This is not a dish that gets better as it sits, so best to eat it immediately. 

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Spinach Gnocchi with Salsa Di Noci (Gorgonzola Cream Sauce)

Tatler Asia
Pasta by Noodle Lab
Above Pasta by Noodle Lab
Pasta by Noodle Lab

Ingredients 

  • 500g Noodle Lab spinach gnocchi 1 cup heavy/culinary cream
  • 200g gorgonzola cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste Caramelised walnuts

(Serves 4 persons)

Procedure:

  1. Combine the heavy cream and sliced gorgonzola in a saucepan until the cheese melts into the sauce.
  2. Season to taste with salt and pepper
  3. In a large stock pot, boil and salt some water. Once the water is rapidly boiling, drop the gnocchi into the pot and wait for all of the gnocchi to float.
  4. Strain the cooked gnocchi directly into the saucepan with the gorgonzola cream sauce.
  5. With a ladle, pour a little pasta water to loosen the sauce a little. Toss everything together in the pan.
  6. Plate the gnocchi and sauce and top with chopped caramelised walnuts.

Squid Ink Spaghetti with Spicy Vodka Sauce

Tatler Asia
Pasta by Noodle Lab
Above Pasta by Noodle Lab
Pasta by Noodle Lab

Ingredients

  • 250g Noodle Lab Fresh squid ink spaghetti 1tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves chopped garlic
  • 1/2 chopped white onion
  • 1tsp chilli flakes
  • 70g tomato paste
  • 100g heavy/culinary cream 4tbsp vodka
  • Salt and pepper to taste Flat leaf parsley

(Serves 2 persons)

Procedure:

  1. Sauté the garlic and onion in olive oil in a saucepan. Add chilli flakes.
  2. Next, sauté the tomato paste with the aromatics.
  3. Deglaze the pan with the vodka.
  4. Add the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a large stock pot, boil the fresh squid ink spaghetti for 1-2 minutes. Transfer directly into the saucepan with the vodka sauce once the pasta is cooked.
  6. Ladle in some pasta water to loosen the sauce. Toss everything together.
  7. Plate and top with chopped parsley. You can even top with your seafood of choice: grilled shrimps/prawns or butter- poached lobsters.

Pro tip: Do not garnish seafood pasta with cheese. Instead, try adding breadcrumbs sautéed in butter and herbs.

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Isabel Martel Francisco
Deputy editorial director, Tatler Philippines & editor, Tatler Dining, Tatler Philippines
Tatler Asia

About

Isabel loves to learn, and see things from different perspectives. Connecting with people and engaging in new experiences to broaden her horizons is what inspires this storyteller, keeping her constantly curious, and excited for what's to come. An absolute love for all things F&B ignited a hunger to devour content from this world and keeps her jumping into tasty adventures around the globe. From the beauty of simple bites, to nuanced fine dining tasting menus, street food, and the art of entertaining, the multi-faceted nature of the dining experience is something she can't get enough of. A good cup of coffee or a glass of wine paired with a dash of witty conversation is a quick way to win her over. This editor loves travelling, food, music, skincare, fitness, and is only friends with people who love dogs. Guilty pleasure?: Binge-watching TV shows and movies she has already seen.

Work

Concept creation is the name of the game and branding takes centre stage in Isabel's day-to-day schedule. From producing shoots, conceptualising bespoke projects for our partners, relationship management, to cooking up features and events for Tatler Dining, this editor is a tried and tested foodie at heart. She mainly writes content for Tatler Dining, engaging in captivating discussions with restaurateurs, chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts to tell must-know stories. Aside from that Isabel manages Tatler Dining's flagship events like Off Menu, or Cocktail Festival and puts together the Tatler Dining Guide, our annual listing of the best eats around town. 

Follow her on Instagram @isabelvmf.