Penne with Peas and Ricotta
May 2009
Spring has sprung! Stock up on fresh veggies for this easy meal.
Makes: 4 servings
- Salt and pepper
- 1 pound penne rigate pasta
- 2 10 ounceboxes frozen green peas
- 1/3cup chopped fresh mint (a generous handful)
- 1/3cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (a generous handful)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1/2cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 2 radishes, thinly sliced, for topping
- 1 cup pea sprouts or pea shoots, for topping
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving a ladleful of the pasta cooking water.
- While the pasta is working, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, salt it, add 1 box of peas and cook for 2 minutes; drain. Transfer to a food processor and puree with the mint, parsley and ricotta; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
- In a medium skillet, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 3 minutes. Add the wine, lower the heat and bring to a simmer, then add the remaining box of peas and heat through; season with salt and pepper.
- Stir the reserved pasta cooking water into the ricotta mixture. Add the pasta and the shallot-pea mixture and toss; season with salt and pepper. Top with the radishes and pea sprouts.
Tip
PAIR WITH
- Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (New Zealand)