Spring Pasta Recipe 425

CREAMY PASTA WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Cut asparagus into 1 1/2 inch pieces discarding the tough ends.
• Cut mushrooms in half or quarters.
• Cut bell pepper into 1 inch squares or strips.
• Combine vegetables in a bowl. Add olive oil and toss lightly.
• Add garlic, salt and pepper. Gently mix well.
• Pour into bar pan (cookie sheet with edges) and bake for 10-12 minutes until crisp tender.
• Snip basil with kitchen scissors.
• Prepare pasta according to pakage instructions.
• In a small saucepan, simmer whipping cream for 6-8 minutes, on medium low heat to slightly thicken. Stir constantly so it doesn't burn to the bottom of the pan.
• Drain pasta and transfer to large bowl. Add veggies, heated cream and basil. Toss lightly.
• Mix 1/4 c of parmesan cheese into the pasta.
• Spoon onto serving plates or dishes. Sprinkle with remaining paremesan and some additonal black pepper.

SPRING PASTA

Steps:

• Prick eggplant several times with the tip of a knife. Place it in a parchment-lined bamboo steamer set over boiling water, and steam until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peas, and season with salt. Cook, covered, for 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt and pasta, and cook until pasta is al dente, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, in the same skillet you used for the peas, heat remaining tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add spring onions, parsley, sage, chives, garlic, cooked peas, salt, and 1 tablespoon water. Cook, covered, until onions are bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. Add arugula, and cook until wilted. Top cooked pasta with pea mixture. Garnish with 1 tablespoon chervil and 1 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
• Remove eggplant from steamer, and cut lengthwise almost in half. Top each eggplant with 1/4 cup ricotta cheese; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and remaining tablespoon chervil. Top each serving of pasta with a ricotta-stuffed eggplant, and serve immediately.