Creamy Pasta With Asparagus And Prosciutto Recipes

CREAMY PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PARMESAN, AND CRISPY PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring 4 qts water to boil in largepot.(in the meantime) Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over med heat until just smoking. Cook prosciutto until lightly browned and crisp, (5 min) Transfer to paper towel lined plate to reduce fat. Add garlic to pan and cook 30 sec. Stir in cream and lemon juice and simmer until thickened, 3-5 minute.
• Add 1 tbsp salt and pasta to boiling water until just eginning to soften, 8 minute Add asparagus to pot and cook until tender and pasta become al dente (4 min).
• Reserve 1 c cooking water and drain pasta and asparagus, return to pot.
• Add sauce, 1/2 c reserved water, cheese, and basil to pot, toss to combine, add remaining water as needed.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Sprinkle with crunchy prosciutto.
• Serve. Delicious with crusty warm bread.

PRIMAVERA WITH PROSCIUTTO, ASPARAGUS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt it generously and cook the pasta for 8 minutes; add the asparagus, carrot and snap peas and cook for 3 minutes. Check the pasta and vegetables to make sure they're cooked through but still have texture, then drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan, add the ham and shallot and cook until lightly browned, 3 minutes or so. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the cream, stock and mustard and simmer for a minute or two, scraping up any brown bits.
• Add the pasta and vegetables to the pan. Toss and cook for another 2 minutes, until cooked through and the pasta is coated. Taste for seasoning, add salt if necessary and serve immediately in warm bowls.

PENNE WITH ASPARGUS-PROSCIUTTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Set a large pot of cold water to boil. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add a pinch of salt and let return to a full boil.
• After washing the asparagus and cutting away any woody ends, boil them in the water just until you can penetrate the thick end of 1 of the stalks by stabbing it with a fork. Lift out the asparagus but continue to let the water boil. Cut off the tips of the asparagus and reserve. Chop the asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces and then puree either in a manual food mill or in a blender or food processor. The result should be a thick cream.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and then add the prosciutto bits, sauteing just until they give off a little fragrance. Then stir in the asparagus puree and, moments later, the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Cook gently, taking care that the sauce does not boil.
• At this point, toss the penne into the pot of boiling water. Cook for 8 minutes or according to package instructions. Once penne is cooked, drain water and place penne in a warm bowl.
• While the penne is cooking, add the asparagus tips and some of the cream to the sauce. You do not want to make the sauce too liquid, so only add as much cream as will give the sauce a velvety texture.
• Once the penne is cooked, spoon the sauce on and toss. Serve on individual plates with a pinch more Parmigiano-Reggiano on top an

FETTUCCINE WITH PROSCIUTTO, ASPARAGUS, AND CREAM

Steps:

• Trim and peel the lower green portions of the asparagus. Cook whole in salted boiling water in a skillet just enough water to cover the asparagus. Only a few minutes to cook tender.
• RESERVE 1/2 cup of the water
• When cool enough to handle, cut the asparagus into 1/4" lengths.
• Pour 4 quarts of water into a large pot and place over a high heat (for pasta).
• In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the onion, cooking until it softens and turns a rich golden color.
• Stir in the sliced prosciutto and saute' until it has lost its raw color.
• Add the asparagus, raise the heat to medium-high and cook until it is lightly browned.
• Pour the reserved water in and cook until it has evaporated.
• Stir in the cream and cook, stirring frequently, until it has reduced by half. At this time taste for any salt requirements. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
• When water for the pasta is boiling, and the sauce is off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water and drop in the pasta all at once, stirring well.
• When the pasta is cooked "al dente", drain it and toss it with the sauce, adding the grated cheese.
• Serve immediately.
• NOTE: Also good with: penne, fusilli corti, garganelli.

SPAGHETTI WITH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the asparagus until tender crisp, about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove asparagus with a slotted dpoon and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
• When cool, strain the asparagus and cut into 1 inch pieces then set aside.
• Using the same pot, cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8 minutes (10-12 if using linguine).
• Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside.
• Drain the pasta.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
• Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, then add the proscuitto strips.
• Saute until the prosciutto is slightly crisp and add the asparagus, then season with salt if using and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Add the pasta to the saute pan as well as 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, and toss to coat.
• Add the smoked mozzarella and the fresh basil and continue to toss until combined, adding additional pasta water if necessary.
• Turn off the heat and continue to toss.
• The pasta will become creamy as the mozzarella starts to melt.

PROSCIUTTO, ASPARAGUS AND PARMESAN ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions, drain and put pack into the warm pot.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat. Cook onion, garlic and mushrooms until fragrant and semi done. Add Prosciutto and asparagus and cook until asparagus is bright green, about 3 minute
• Add cream, 1/3 cup cheese, salt and pepper and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until sauce has thickened, about 4 minutes.
• Pour sauce with vegetables over pasta and toss to coat.
• Top with additional parmesan cheese and, if desired, prosciutto chips (see recipe description).