Monday, April 18, 2011

Pea Pesto Prosciutto & Cream Pasta


Pasta Ribbons with Peas, Prosciutto, Cream and Spring Pesto

This recipe was featured in Every Day with Rachael RayMagazine.

Ingredients

  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 pound curly-edged, long-cut pasta, such as riccia or long, wide pasta
  • For the Pesto:
  • About 3 tablespoons pine nuts or sliced almonds
  • 1 cup flat-leaf parsley (a few handfuls)
  • About 1/2 cup fresh tarragon leaves
  • About 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (a heavy handful)
  • 2 cloves of garlic, pasted or finely grated
  • About 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • A handful grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
  • About 1/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • For the Cream Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large shallot, finely chopped
  • 1/4 pound thick-cut prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 1 10-ounce box frozen organic sweet peas
  • 1/2 cup white wine or chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Step
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it and add the pasta. Cook to al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
While the pasta is working, lightly toast the nuts for the pesto.
Step
Combine the pesto ingredients, including the toasted nuts, in a food processor and pulse into a paste.
Step
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the shallot and stir for a couple of minutes. Add the prosciutto and stir for a minute more, then add the peas and stir to heat through. Stir in the wine (or stock) and cook to reduce, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and let bubble; let bubble and thicken for a few minutes.
Step
Toss the pasta with the cream sauce and the pesto, using a splash of reserved cooking water to loosen if desired. Pass the extra cheese at the table. 

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