Mafaldine with pea and ham

The Popeye-green hue of this pasta comes from a puree of peas, spinach, cream and parmesan, which is mixed through mafaldine (wide pasta with a crimped edge). Finished with crisp pancetta, this is an easy and interesting pasta dish to add to your repertoire.

• serves

  4

• prep

  5 minutes

• cook

  15 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

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Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 100 g pancetta, diced
• 25 g butter
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ½ brown onion, finely chopped
• 260 g (2 cups) frozen green peas
• 60 g baby spinach
• ½ cup picked parsley leaves
• 150 ml thin cream
• 50 g (½ cup) freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 500 g dried mafaldine

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to the boil and salt it for cooking the pasta.
2. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the oil and fry the pancetta until crisp. Remove the pancetta from the pan, then add the butter, garlic and onion. Fry for about 5 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent.
3. Add the peas, spinach and parsley and cook for 1 minute or until the vegetables are wilted. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Transfer the vegetables and cream to a blender and add the parmesan. Blend to a smooth puree. Taste the puree and adjust for seasoning.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to packet directions, but start checking it 2 minutes before the recommended cooking time has finished.
5. When the pasta is al dente, drain it well (reserving about ¼ cup of the cooking water) and return it back to the pot on low heat (or a separate frying pan, if that is easier). Add the sauce, reserved cooking water and toss to coat. Stir through the pancetta and serve with extra parmesan.

 

Photography by Kitti Gould.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

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Watch The Full Episode Here

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