orecchiette w peas, lemon & crème fraîche

It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to participate in Presto Pasta Night (a Friday food blogging event) and I’m pretty happy to be rejoining the pack with this great recipe.

Despite Jonas’ protests that it wouldn’t turn out very well, he was shocked to discover it was damn delicious.

I wasn’t so shocked, but it did turn out better than even I’d expected.

It’s pretty light, so it makes a perfect spring or summer dinner, or would even work well as an entrée in winter (that’s starter to you North Americans).

Orecchiette w Peas, Lemon & Crème Fraîche

Adapted from A Twist of the Wrist by Nancy Silverton. Serves 4.

Ingredients:
8 ounces orecchiette pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced or grated
1 cup frozen petite peas, or fresh if in season
1 cup crème fraîche
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
6 slices prosciutto, torn in half (optional)
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
Lots of freshly ground black pepper

Method:

1. Bring a large pot of salty water to boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

2. In the meantime, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the garlic. Cook for a couple minutes until fragrant but not browned, then reduce the heat to medium

3. Add the peas, cooking for a few seconds, then add the crème fraîche, lemon zest and kosher salt. Bring to a light simmer, stirring constantly, until warmed through.

4. Reserving 1/3 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta and add it while still wet to the skillet.

5. Toss well with the sauce, add the pepper and lemon juice and add the pasta water to create a loose sauce. Turn the heat to high and cook for 2 minutes as the sauce melds with the pasta.

6. Transfer to bowls and top with any sauce left in the skillet.

7. Lay the prosciutto and basil leaves on top. Serve immediately.

Note: you could use cooked bacon instead of prosciutto.

This week's PPN is hosted by Janet from The Taste Space, so be sure to visit her blog for other pasta and noodle recipes. PPN's founder however is Ruth from Once Upon A Feast.