Penne With Peas Pea Greens And Parmesan Food

PENNE WITH PEAS, PEA GREENS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Meanwhile, steam the peas over an inch of boiling water for 4 minutes, until just tender. Transfer to a bowl. Add the pea shoots to the steamer and steam 2 minutes, until just wilted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle them. Do not discard the steaming water; pour it into a measuring cup. Squeeze out excess water from the pea greens and chop medium-fine. You should have about 1 cup chopped leaves and tender stems.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet and add the chopped spring onion or scallions. Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the pea shoots and stir together for about a minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the peas, tarragon and parsley and about 1/4 cup of the steaming water and heat through.
• When the water in the pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add the pasta. Cook al dente, using the timing instructions on the package as a guide but checking the pasta a minute before the time indicated is up. When the pasta is ready, using a ladle transfer 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to the pan with the peas and pea shoots. Drain the pasta and toss at once with the vegetables and Parmesan. Serve hot.

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.

PASTA, PESTO, AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.
• Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
• Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
• To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.

CREAMY PASTA WITH PEAS

Steps:

• For the kids (serves 2): In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions; add peas 1 minute before end of cooking. Drain; return pasta and peas to pot.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine cream and chicken broth; simmer until thickened slightly, 7 minutes. Stir in Parmesan until melted.
• Add sauce to pasta and peas; toss to combine. Season with salt. Divide half the pasta among serving bowls; reserve remaining in pot for the adults.
• For the adults (serves 2): Toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add to reserved pasta along with arugula; season with pepper. Toss to combine, and serve immediately.

CHICKEN WITH PENNE AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water 10 minutes, or until al dente.
• Drain and set aside.
• Combine stock and 1/2 cup peas in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
• Set aside.
• Heat oil in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
• Sauté garlic 30 seconds.
• Add bell pepper and chicken and sauté 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until chicken is cooked throughout.
• Add pea purée, whole peas and salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir well.
• Stir in pasta and bring to a boil.
• Cook 2 minutes, or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly.
• Stir in cheese and toss well before serving.

PENNE WITH PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Cook peas on the stove or in a microwave according to package directions, then drain well.
• With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Turn off motor and add peas, nuts, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander.
• Toss pasta with pea pesto and thin as desired with reserved cooking water. Season with freshly ground pepper.

PENNE WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• To prepare the penne:
• In a large saucepan of salted boiling water blanch the sugar snap peas for 45 seconds, or until they are crisp-tender, transfer them with a skimmer to a large serving bowl, and toss them with 1/2 cup of the pesto. In the boiling water cook the pasta until it is al dente, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta-cooking water, and drain the pasta in a colander. In the bowl with the sugar snap peas toss the pasta with the reserved pasta-cooking water, 1/4 cup of the remaining pesto, or to taste, and salt and pepper to taste.
• To make the pesto:
• In a food processor combine the arugula, the walnuts, the Parmesan or Sardo, the salt, and the garlic and pulse the motor until the walnuts are chopped fine. With the motor running add the oil in a stream and blend the pesto with hot cooked pasta, potatoes, or vegetables. The pesto keeps, chilled, its surface covered with plastic wrap, for 2 weeks. Makes about 2 cups.

PENNE WITH PEAS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Cook the penne according to the package directions add the peas during the last 3 or 4 minutes; drain and set aside.
• in large skillet melt the butter and sauté the prosciutto until crisp,. Add the cream, chives, and parmesan cheese, along with the tomato and the basil, stirring well to blend.
• Add the penne and the peas and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve with more parmesan cheese.

PARMESAN SNAP PEA PASTA

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, bring 16 cups water to a boil. Add peas; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Using a strainer, remove peas from pot., In same pot, add pasta to boiling water; cook according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water; return to pot. Toss with 3 tablespoons oil., In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat; saute onion until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and seasonings; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in peas; heat through., Toss with pasta, adding 1 cup cheese and reserved cooking water as desired. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

PASTA WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS, PARMESAN AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add sugar snap peas to pasta; cook until pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 3 minutes more. Drain.
• Return pot to stove and heat olive oil and margarine over medium heat. Add mushrooms, green onions, garlic, and lemon zest; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Add cooked pasta and sugar snap peas; toss to coat. Top with Parmesan cheese and mint.