Pasta With Ham Minty Pea Pesto Food

MINI SHELL PASTA WITH A CREAMY SMOKED BACON & PEA SAUCE

Steps:

• Finely slice the bacon. Pick the mint leaves and discard the stalks. Finely grate the Parmesan. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and drop in the stock cube (if using). Stir until it's dissolved, then add the mini shells and cook according to the packet instructions. Get a large frying pan over a medium heat and add a good lug of olive oil. Add the bacon to the pan, sprinkle a little pepper over and fry until golden and crisp.
• Meanwhile, finely chop your mint leaves. As soon as the bacon is golden, add your frozen peas and give the pan a good shake. After a minute or so, add the crème fraîche and chopped mint to the bacon and peas. Drain the pasta in a colander over a large bowl, reserving some of the cooking water.
• Add the pasta to the frying pan. Halve your lemon and squeeze the juice over the pasta. When it's all bubbling away nicely, remove from the heat. The sauce should be creamy and delicious but if it's too thick for you, add a splash of the reserved cooking water to thin it out a bit. Add the grated Parmesan and give the pan a shake to mix it in.
• Divide your pasta between plates or bowls, or put it on the table in a large serving dish and let everyone help themselves. Lovely with a simply dressed green salad.

PASTA WITH PESTO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the peas according to the package instructions and drain. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, add the basil leaves, mint leaves, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 cup of the peas, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and some salt and pepper to a food processor or blender. Turn on the machine, then drizzle in the olive oil while it mixes. Continue blending until combined, adding additional olive oil if needed. Set aside.
• Heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Drain the pasta and place in a serving bowl. Pour the cream mixture over the top, followed by the pesto. Add the remaining 1 cup peas, toss and serve immediately.

HAM AND PEAS PASTA WITH GARLIC PARMESAN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well. To make the garlic parmesan cream sauce, melt butter in the skillet skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, thyme and basil. Cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in half and half and Parmesan until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more half and half as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in spaghetti, ham and peas, and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

PASTA WITH HAM & MINTY PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions, adding 200g of the peas for the final 1 min of cooking. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, blitz the rest of the peas, mint, half the Parmesan and the crème fraîche until smooth, then season. When the pasta is cooked, tip back into the pan on the heat and spoon in the pea cream, ham and the remaining Parmesan. Stir to coat the pasta evenly, adding the reserved water if it is too thick. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan, if you like.

20 BEST WAYS TO COOK WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep a pea recipe in 30 minutes or less!

PASTA WITH HAM & MINTY PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions, adding 200g of the peas for the final 1 min of cooking. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, blitz the rest of the peas, mint, half the Parmesan and the crème fraîche until smooth, then season. When the pasta is cooked, tip back into the pan on the heat and spoon in the pea cream, ham and the remaining Parmesan. Stir to coat the pasta evenly, adding the reserved water if it is too thick. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan, if you like.