Pea Pancetta Creamy Pasta Recipes

PEA & PANCETTA CREAMY PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• While the water is heating, fry the diced pancetta in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Drain excess fat from the skillet.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until it is "al dente".
• Add the garlic to the skillet and stir for a minute but do not let it color.
• Add the cream, peas, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil and cook a couple of minutes to thicken.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the pasta from pot and add to the skillet. (Do not worry about adding a little pasta water as well!)
• Stir continuously over high heat until the pasta is well coated with sauce, and the sauce is thick.
• Serve in individual bowls topped with some freshly cracked black pepper and pass the grated cheese.

CREAMY SPRING PEAS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice water. If using fresh English peas, add to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Add the snap peas and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes, then add the snow peas and cook 30 seconds. Drain the peas and plunge into the ice water to cool.
• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add the flour to the drippings in the skillet and cook, whisking, until toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and cream and cook until reduced by one-third, about 6 minutes.
• Drain the peas, shaking off the excess water, then add to the skillet (if using frozen peas, add them here). Cook, stirring, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the pancetta.
• Photograph courtesy Anna Williams

PASTA, PANCETTA AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Meanwhile, saute pancetta in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until golden and crisp, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. In the same pan, saute onions until softened, about 5 minutes. Add peas and garlic and saute for 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan, pasta and pancetta. Moisten pasta with some of the reserved pasta water. Toss to incorporate, season with salt and pepper, if necessary, and serve, sprinkled with lemon juice.