Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Creamy Spring Pasta

mmm, i think what i made a few tuesday nights ago is THE favorite meal of mine that i've made so far... Creamy Spring Pasta. it was amazing! now you're probably wondering why it's my favorite and here are some reasons why:
  • first of all, i love pasta! it is my favorite type of food.
  • second, my favorite type of pasta is when it is served with a creamy white sauce.
  • third, it used my favorite type of pasta noodles, fettuccine. 
  • fourth, it had asparagus, and i love asparagus.
  • fifth it had peas. i love peas with pasta (like seriously, i even put peas in my mac'n' cheese).
  • and finally, sixth, it had bread crumbs! i love creamy dishes with breadcrumbs.
so that is why this dish is one of my very favorite that i have made so far. and guess what, i found it in my favorite cooking magazine, Cooking Light.

...and for my garden, you will be happy to know that i weeded it! also my carrots are finally starting to poke through, and most exciting of all, i put my tomato and green pepper plants in!

 Creamy Spring Pasta
Ingredients: 
3 quarts water
2 ounces French bread baguette, torn into pieces
1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves, minced and divided
1 1/2 cups (2-inch) diagonally cut asparagus
1 cup frozen green peas
6 ounces uncooked fettuccine
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
3 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
Directions:
1. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a Dutch oven.
2. Place torn bread in a food processor; process until coarse crumbs form. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 garlic clove to pan; sauté 1 minute. Add breadcrumbs; sauté 3 minutes or until golden brown and toasted. Remove breadcrumb mixture from pan; wipe pan clean with paper towels.
3. Add asparagus and peas to boiling water; cook for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon. Rinse under cold water; drain.
4. Add pasta to boiling water; cook 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
5. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and the remaining 2 garlic cloves; cook for 3 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Place flour in a small bowl; gradually whisk in chicken broth. Add broth mixture and milk to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from heat; add cheeses, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheeses melt. Add pasta, asparagus, and peas; toss well. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and tarragon.
 



1 comment:

  1. Your garden is looking good! Jenna and I planted hers this year - not too big but I'm pretty excited about the herb section. And, this pasta looks awesome.

    ReplyDelete