Asparagus Pasta With Red Peppers And Cannellini Beans Food

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente, adding the asparagus to the pot during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and asparagus and run under cold water to cool; drain well.
• Meanwhile, put the onion in a medium bowl and cover with cold water; set aside for 10 minutes.
• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice and 1/2 cup of the feta in a large bowl until well combined; season with salt and pepper. Add the pasta and asparagus, beans, parsley, dill and remaining 1/2 cup feta. Drain the onions, pat dry and add to the bowl. Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper.

LEMONY PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Grate the zest from the lemon into a small bowl. Halve the lemon and squeeze the juice from half of it on top of the zest. Add the white beans, shallot or onion, grated garlic, red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt and toss well. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, usually 2 minutes less than the package directs.
• Meanwhile, heat a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, then add the asparagus. Sauté until the asparagus is tender and starting to brown at the edges, 7 to 10 minutes. Add a big pinch of salt and the sliced garlic and sauté until the garlic is lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
• Dip a coffee mug or glass measuring cup into the pasta water and scoop out about 1/2 cup of it to use for the sauce. Drain pasta, shaking it well. Add pasta, bean mixture, parsley and Parmesan to sauté pan and cook until the beans are hot and the pasta is al dente. If the mixture looks dry, splash in some (or all) of the reserved pasta water. Squeeze remaining lemon half over pasta, toss and taste. Season with pepper; add more salt, red-pepper flakes and lemon juice, if desired.

CANNELLINI-BEAN PASTA WITH BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Add the beans and stock to a large pot, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
• While the beans cook, combine the wine, vinegar, shallot and butter in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low for about 15 minutes, shaking the pan as the liquid reduces to keep it from burning. Turn off the heat, and set the beurre blanc aside.
• Stir the pasta into the beans and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Stir in the beurre blanc, and season generously with salt and pepper. Serve with a little grated cheese on top.

LEMON PEPPER PASTA AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook bell pepper, asparagus, lemon peel, salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in oil, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Stir lemon juice and beans into vegetable mixture. Cook until beans are hot. Add pasta; toss. Sprinkle with pepper.