Thursday, April 29, 2010

Recipe: Penne with cream, peas and pancetta

Wow, I haven't posted anything up here in ages!  I assure you, I've been cooking and making delicious things as per usual, I just haven't taken too many pictures... And I haven't been nearly as creative, I think I'm getting a little boring and repetitive, even if it does taste delicious.
That being said, I'll post up one of my favorite meals, that I make way too often for my own good!

Penne in a cream sauce with peas and pancetta
serves about 4 (although I often cook it for one lol)


penne (around 400-500 gramsish)
frozen peas (1/2 bag normal bag being around 1000grams)
pancetta dolce (container 250 grams... if you're in the states, use a package of regular bacon, and dice it into small pieces)
1 container of panna (states, heavy cream, you need about a cup and a half)
rosemary
pepper
hot pepper flakes

Start boiling water, add pasta to water as usual.
In the meantime place your pancetta in a hot pan, when it's about half way cooked add in frozen peas and about a tablespoon of rosemary, and pepper and hot pepper flakes to taste.
When the pasta is almost al dente and when the peas are no longer frozen, add the cream to the peas and pancetta.  Do not allow the cream to boil (i.e. lower the heat).
When the pasta is done drain, and add to cream mixture.  Mix well and serve :)

I've done other variations on this as well.  I've added onions which adds a nice little sweetness.  Instead of peas I've added potatoes diced into tiny cubes (which is a little heavier, but still delicious).

Get creative!
~Raspberry Truffle