PASTA, PROSCIUTTO, PEAS, PESTO IN CREAM

PASTA, PROSCIUTTO, PEAS, PESTO IN CREAM image

Number Of Ingredients 18

Salt and Pepper
1 pound curly-edged, long-cut pasta, such as riccia or long, wide pasta
For the Pesto:
About 3 tablespoons pine nuts or sliced almonds
1 cup flat-leaf parsley (a few handfuls)
About 1/2 cup fresh tarragon leaves
About 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (a heavy handful)
2 cloves of garlic, pasted or finely grated
About 1 teaspoon lemon zest
A handful grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
About 1/4 cup EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the Cream Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1/4 pound thick-cut prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 10-ounce box frozen organic sweet peas
1/2 cup white wine or chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream

Steps:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it and add the pasta. Cook to al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. While the pasta is working, lightly toast the nuts for the pesto. Combine the pesto ingredients, including the toasted nuts, in a food processor and pulse into a paste. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the shallot and stir for a couple of minutes. Add the prosciutto and stir for a minute more, then add the peas and stir to heat through. Stir in the wine (or stock) and cook to reduce, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and let bubble; let bubble and thicken for a few minutes. Toss the pasta with the cream sauce and the pesto, using a splash of reserved cooking water to loosen if desired. Pass the extra cheese at the table.