Fettuccine With Asparagus Fava Beans And Prosciutto Recipes

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it renders some fat and begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook until the garlic just begins to soften, about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the wine. Return to the heat and cook until the wine evaporates slightly, about 2 more minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Add the cream and nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs, adding the asparagus during the last minute of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and asparagus.
• Add the cheese to the cream sauce and stir to combine. Add the pasta and asparagus and toss to coat, adding some of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with more cheese.

FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS, FAVA BEANS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Trim the tough ends of the stalks from the asparagus. With a vegetable peeler, pare away any tough skin from the lower half of the stalk. Cut the asparagus into one-and-a-half-inch pieces.
• Cook the asparagus in boiling salted water until barely tender. Rinse under cool running water and drain well. Set aside and keep warm.
• Steam the fava beans until barely tender. Set them aside and keep them warm. Meanwhile, bring six quarts salted water to boil for the fettuccine.
• Melt the butter in a saute pan. Add the shallots and the prosciutto and saute for one minute. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Add the tarragon and salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for five minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add the asparagus and fava beans and heat through. Keep the sauce warm until the fettuccine is cooked.
• When the fettuccine is al dente, drain it and transfer it to a heated serving bowl. Add the sauce, toss and serve. Pass freshly grated Parmesan cheese separately.

FETTUCCINE WITH PROSCIUTTO AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cook asparagus and pasta in boiling water 3 minutes or until pasta is done.
• Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Wipe pan dry and heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add proscuitto and cook 2 more minutes; stirring frequently.
• Stir in asparagus and pasta, reserved liquid, vinegar, salt and peppers. Toss well.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

FRESH FAVA BEANS WITH PECORINO CHEESE

Steps:

• Shell the favas and discard pods. Drop beans into boiling salted water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain again and remove tough outer skin from each bean. Place beans in a bowl.
• Serve with slices of good fresh cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, 1 to 2 drops of lemon juice, freshly ground pepper and a few grains of salt along with a slice of good crusty peasant bread.

FAVA BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Blanch and skin the fava beans and place them in a bowl. Use the blanching water to blanch the asparagus, or steam the asparagus if you prefer. If blanching, bring the water in the pot to a boil, salt generously and add the asparagus spears. Blanch 1 to 4 minutes, depending on how thick the asparagus is; fat spears (recommended) will take up to 4 minutes, but thin ones are ready in 1 minute. You can steam the asparagus over 1 inch boiling water for the same amount of time if you prefer. Transfer the lightly cooked asparagus to a bowl of cold water, then drain and dry on paper towels. Cut into 1-inch lengths. Add to the bowl with the fava beans. Add the herbs, and the chickpeas if using.
• Combine the lemon zest and juice, vinegar, garlic or shallots, and salt to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the oil and yogurt. Toss with the favas and asparagus. Add the shaved Parmesan, toss again and serve, or allow to marinate for 30 minutes, then serve.

FETTUCCINE WITH PROSCIUTTO, ASPARAGUS, AND CREAM

Steps:

• Trim and peel the lower green portions of the asparagus. Cook whole in salted boiling water in a skillet just enough water to cover the asparagus. Only a few minutes to cook tender.
• RESERVE 1/2 cup of the water
• When cool enough to handle, cut the asparagus into 1/4" lengths.
• Pour 4 quarts of water into a large pot and place over a high heat (for pasta).
• In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the onion, cooking until it softens and turns a rich golden color.
• Stir in the sliced prosciutto and saute' until it has lost its raw color.
• Add the asparagus, raise the heat to medium-high and cook until it is lightly browned.
• Pour the reserved water in and cook until it has evaporated.
• Stir in the cream and cook, stirring frequently, until it has reduced by half. At this time taste for any salt requirements. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
• When water for the pasta is boiling, and the sauce is off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water and drop in the pasta all at once, stirring well.
• When the pasta is cooked "al dente", drain it and toss it with the sauce, adding the grated cheese.
• Serve immediately.
• NOTE: Also good with: penne, fusilli corti, garganelli.