Creamy Pasta With Spring Vegetables Food

CREAMY PASTA WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring medium pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions and reserving at 1/2 cup of pasta cooking liquid.
• Prepare vegetables. Trim the end of of leeks and clean with cold water. Thinly slice white portion, discarding the dark green section. Snap off the woody bottom of the asparagus and cut into 2 inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, heat large skillet (biggest you have!) over medium high heat (about 6-7) and add butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to pan. When the butter starts sizzling, add the leeks and cook for 1 minute. Add the peas, asparagus, and 3 tablespoons of the pasta cooking liquid and cook for 3 minutes. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Stir in cream cheese and garlic powder until incorporated. Add some more of the pasta water if necessary.
• Add the pasta to the veggie mixture. Toss together and top with parmesan cheese, tossing again to incorporate cheese.
• Divide into bowls. Serve with shredded parmesan, additional salt and pepper and red pepper flakes if you like a little spice!

SPRING VEGETABLE FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, tender but slightly firm. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then strain the pasta and toss with a splash of oil in the colander.
• Meanwhile, slice the mushroom caps into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus and cut into 2-inch lengths. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter melts, raise the heat to medium-high and add the mushrooms in 1 layer. Cook, without moving, until the undersides have browned, 1 to 2 minutes, then stir and cook until golden about 2 minutes more. Add the asparagus, another tablespoon of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until the asparagus is tender and the mushrooms are browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to the colander with the pasta.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 5 tablespoons butter. When the butter has mostly melted, whisk in the cream and bring to a simmer, then add the peas and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Whisk the Parmigiano-Reggiano into the sauce. Add the vegetables, cooked pasta, chives and lemon zest and toss well. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta will thicken as it cools. To thin it, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time and toss to reach the desired consistency. Serve hot in heated bowls.

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.

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente (1 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta, more for dried pasta). Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.