White Bean Primavera Recipes

PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Gently melt the butter with the parsley, chives and mint and set aside in a warm place. Prepare all the vegetables: shell the peas, wash the carrots and trim away any leaves but leave a short green stalk in place (the stalk is edible but it is also there to show the vegetable is freshly harvested!), thickly slice the courgettes and trim the green beans.
• Bring 2 large pans of water to the boil (one for the pasta, one for the veg). Lightly salt the water in one of the pans, add the pasta to it and cook until al dente (10-12 minutes or according to the cooking instructions on the packet). While the pasta cooks, add the carrots to the other pan and cook for 2 minutes. Next throw in the peas, green beans and courgettes and continue to cook for 3 minutes. Drain both the pasta and the vegetables well. Return the pasta to the hot pan with a splash of olive oil, half the herb butter and the lemon zest and juice. Return the vegetables to their pan, toss with the rest of the herb butter and season well with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the pasta on to serving plates, grind some black pepper over and serve with the vegetables on top. Scatter on as much basil as you like and serve straight away.

WHITE BEAN PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet (preferably straight-sided) over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and 1 teaspoon salt, and stir, then cook undisturbed in an even layer until one side is golden, about 4 minutes. (It's great if the butter browns, but decrease the heat if it threatens to get too dark.) Stir in the asparagus, carrot and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the peas, scallions and ½ teaspoon salt, then add the red-pepper flakes, oregano and a generous amount of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the peas are warmed through and bright green, about 2 minutes.
• Add the white beans and the cream, lower the heat to medium, and let the cream come to a simmer. Simmer for about 1 minute.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice, Parmesan and Dijon. Taste and season with more salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of warm water to the creamy beans to loosen as you like; the sauce will thicken as it cools. (You may need more water when you reheat any leftovers.) Serve in bowls topped with the nuts and a handful of basil leaves. Pass more Parmesan at the table.

FISH AND VEGGIES PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Place the butter in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; add fish and turn to coat. Sprinkle with lemon juice and pepper. Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 5 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, saute garlic in oil. Add the next seven ingredients; stir-fry until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 2-3 minutes. Spoon over the fish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 3-5 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

GARDEN VEGETABLE PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Cook fettuccine according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the zucchini, carrot, Italian seasoning and salt in oil until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add broth and wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half., Drain fettuccine. Add the fettuccine, cheese and basil to the skillet and toss to coat.

EASY VEGGIE PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons Country Crock® Spread in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook 3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
• Add vegetables and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth and simmer 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add remaining tablespoon Country Crock® Spread.
• Toss vegetable mixture with cooked pasta, mint or basil, and lemon zest. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.