Tag Archives: peas

Pasta with Peas and Pancetta

1 T salt
1 small carrot
1 stalk celery
3 T olive oil
6 oz chopped pancetta
6 cloves garlic, sliced thickly
¼ c chopped fresh basil
2 T chopped fresh Italian parsley
¼ t red pepper flakes
12 oz canned Italian style tomatoes, drained, peeled, and chopped, juice reserved
1 c white wine
½ t salt
¼ t pepper
1 c peas
1 lb penne pasta
6 T freshly grated romano cheese

Bring a large pot of water with the salt to a boil over high heat. Make a mirepoix with the carrot, celery, and onion by finely chopping or gently whirling them in a food processor until just blended. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the pancetta; sauté until it starts to brown, 2-3 minutes.  Add the prepared mirepoix, garlic, basil, parsley, and red pepper flakes and sauté until tender, 3-4 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and cook until their water has evaporated, 7 minutes or so. Deglaze the pan with wine and continue cooking to reduce liquid by half. Add the reserved tomato juice, the ½ t salt, and ¼ t pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer until thickened to a sauce-like consistency, 10-12 minutes. Stir in the peas and cook until tender, 3-5 minutes.

Cook the pasta in the boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and return to pot. Pour the sauce over the pasta and simmer over a low heat, stirring constantly until the pasta is well coated, about three minutes. Turn the pasta out onto a warmed serving dish and sprinkle with the cheese. Serve immediately.

Betty Harper’s Arroz con Pollo 1969

Betty and George came to visit us right before Allan was born in 1969. She made this for us and gave me the recipe, which I’ve made often since.

12-14 pieces chicken
3 c raw rice
2 ½ c chicken broth
2 c beer, room temperature
1 stick margarine
2 T tomato paste
2 onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 t garlic powder
1 ½ t Bijol
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can pimentos
1 can petite peas
1 can asparagus

Brown chicken in margarine. Add onion, green pepper, tomato paste, garlic powder, and cook until veggies are tender. Add broth, beer, and Bijol.Bring to boil, add rice, bring to boil again, then reduce fire to low and cook until rice is tender (cover pan). Garnish with pimentos, peas, and asparagus. Serves 10.

Seven Layer Salad by M.L.

In deep glass or pottery dish (9×11 or 10×12” round) layer ingredients as given :
Head lettuce, broken in pieces
Celery, diced small
Green onions, sliced, include tops
Frozen or fresh peas, cooked but not overdone
Frost with one cup mayonnaise
Sprinkle heavily with parmesan cheese
Top with crumbled bacon
Do not toss.

French Epicurean Peas

Mom always served these with leg of lamb.

4 slices bacon, chopped
1 Tbsp chopped onion
1 Tbsp flour
1 #2 can peas, drained
salt and pepper
1 c light cream or evaporated milk
1 c chopped fresh mushrooms
2 Tbsp butter

Partially fry bacon.  Add onion. Cook until soft and yellow.  Add flour and blend. Add peas and cream.  Cool until thick, stirring occasionally.  Cook mushrooms in butter 5 minutes. Add to peas and season.  Serves 6.