Fusilli With Carrots Peas And Mint Food

PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli and cook as the label directs. Add the sugar snap peas and/or broccoli, carrots and bell pepper to the boiling water during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and vegetables and return to the pot.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt; cook until the tomatoes begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water. Pour the tomato mixture over the pasta and vegetables. Add the mint, parmesan and half the goat cheese and toss to combine. Season with salt.
• Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the remaining goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

CREAMY FUSILLI WITH CARROTS, PEAS AND BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crunchy, 5 to 7 minutes. Set the toasted breadcrumbs aside in a small bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the peas and chicken stock to the skillet and simmer until the stock is hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the carrots and continue to simmer until the carrots are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. (This is a good time to boil your pasta.) Simmer until the reduces by one-fourth, about 5 minutes. Set the sauce aside; cover and keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and toss with the sauce, about half of the breadcrumbs and all of the mint.
• Divide the pasta into bowls and top with a sprinkle of the remaining breadcrumbs and some Parmigiano-Reggiano.

GLAZED FRESH PEAS AND CARROTS WITH MINT AND DILL

Steps:

• Cut a 1/2-inch piece from a carrot at an angle. Roll the carrot until the cut side faces up and cut another 1/2-inch piece at an angle. Continue rolling and cutting both carrots.
• Combine the carrots, onion, 1 tablespoon of the butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until very tender, about 10 minutes. A knife should be able to pierce through a carrot with no resistance.
• Meanwhile, combine the peas and 3 tablespoons water in a large saucepan. There should be just enough water to coat the bottom of the pan. If there isn't, add more water as needed. Bring to a boil, then simmer, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until the peas are just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the carrot mixture and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter to the peas. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are glazed and bound by a thin, creamy sauce, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and top with mint and dill.

GREEN SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND CARROTS WITH FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Trim off and discard the tips of the peas.
• Scrape and trim the carrots. Cut the carrots into 1 1/2-inch lengths. Cut the pieces lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices (batons) about 1/4 inch wide. There should be about 1 1/2 cups.
• Bring enough water to a boil in a saucepan to cover the peas and carrots when added. Add the vegetables and cook about 4 minutes, or until they are crisp tender. Drain immediately.
• Return the peas and carrots to the saucepan. Add the butter, mint, salt and pepper. Stir and blend well. Serve immediately.

FUSILLI WITH CARROTS, PEAS, AND MINT

Steps:

• In a skillet cook the bread crumbs in 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until they are golden and crisp and transfer them to a small bowl. In the skillet cook the shallot in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the peas and the broth, and simmer the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes. Stir in the carrots, simmer the mixture, for 2 minutes, or until the carrots are just tender, and stir in the cream and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the mixture until the liquid is reduced by about one fourth, remove the sauce from the heat, and keep it warm. In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the fusilli until it is al dente, drain it well, and in a bowl toss it with the sauce, half of the bread crumbs, and the mint. Divide the fusilli between 2 soup bowls and top it with the remaining bread crumbs.