Saturday, May 8, 2010

Fettuccine with Peas, Asparagus, & Pancetta

OK, really we made Fettuccine with Peas & Bacon.

Ingredients
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or penne
  • 3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped (*We used regular bacon.)
  • 1 1/4 pounds asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces (*Didn't have it!)
  • 2 cups shelled fresh green peas, blanched 1 minute in boiling water, drained, or frozen peas (do not thaw)(*Frozen peas were fine)
  • 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, white and pale green parts separated from dark green parts (*We used shallots.)
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel (*Didn't use it.)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided (*Didn't have it.)
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided
Preparation
  • Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
  • Meanwhile, cook pancetta in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon drippings from skillet. Add asparagus to drippings in skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add peas, white and pale green parts of green onions, and garlic; sauté until vegetables are just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Add vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, dark green parts of green onions, 1/2 cup Parmesan, cream, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, half of parsley, and half of basil to pasta. Toss, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle pancetta, remaining parsley, and basil over. Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese.

This gets two forks up from me. (Also, note the cameo by my foot & house shoe.)

1 comment:

  1. This looks so delicious! It is similar to my families "White Spaghetti" invented by my mother to try and recreate carbonara. Spaghetti + bacon + cheese = can't go wrong :)

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