Monday, November 12, 2012

SRC - Creamy Peas and Walnut Sauce for Pasta

This is my third post for the Secret Recipe Club.   My assignment this month was a very interesting blog, From Arepas to Zwetschgen  This lady makes and posts dishes from all over the world.   And I thought I was pretty good at making foods from different regions, but I don't do it to her extent.   I got to travel all over the world just by reading her cooking adventures.   One quibble though, even though there were lots of dishes featured, too many of them had a 'recipe coming soon'  message below the picture and I'm just not that good at sussing out how to make something from a picture. So those recipes got eliminated rather quickly.  

I did run across her Creamy Peas and Walnut sauce for Pasta, and decided to try my hand at that.
Creamy Peas and Walnut Sauce for Pasta

 I kept the original instructions pretty intact as I have a scale I use when I'm baking or making my Danish food.   So it was easy for me to do it that way.    However I did convert the measurements to cups for ease.      I also cut the recipe in half, and found out I had more than enough sauce for my pasta.   

Creamy Peas and Toasted Walnut sauce

Ingredients:
500 g pasta of your choice  (2 cups uncooked)
75 g chopped walnuts   (3 oz or about 1 cup)
250 g green peas (fresh or frozen)  (1 lb or 2 cups)
4 slices bacon
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, smashed
175 ml white wine  (3/4 cup)
125 ml heavy (or light) cream  (1/2 cup)
125 ml low-fat milk   (1/2 cup)
salt
pepper
cornstarch (optional)

Prepare pasta as per directions. While the pasta is cooking prepare the walnuts by roasting them in a skillet without oil over medium-low heat until fragrant and golden brown, about 7-8 minutes.  Drain the cooked pasta, and reserve.  (I kept a little of the pasta water, just in case) Place the walnuts in a heat safe plate and let cool. While they are cooling, bring 1/2" salted water to a boil, add peas, and cook for 5-6 minutes until soft. Drain and set aside. Cook the bacon in a medium skillet or oven until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble. Discard all but 2-3 tsp bacon fat. Saute the onions in the bacon fat until soft, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.  Add wine, cream, milk, bacon, and pepper to the onions and garlic and heat through for
about 5 minutes. Add the peas and cook for an additional minute.

 Thicken with cornstarch if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve pasta with sauce and top with walnuts.

Creamy Peas and Walnut Sauce for Pasta
***If I make this again, I will probably add some Mushrooms to it as I think it would complement the entire dish very well, and would probably also eliminate the bacon so I can serve it to my vegetarian friends.   I found also that the onion totally overpowered the sauce.   I think a shallot would be much better in this dish.  

Sidsel Munkholm - Author
Sidsel Munkholm - Author

Sid loves to cook, feed people and have fun in the kitchen. She shares her successes and the involuntary offerings she sometimes gives the kitchen goddess as well. And she's still looking for the mythical fairy to help her clean the kitchen after a marathon cooking session. Currently working on a cookbook showcasing the recipes from her Danish heritage.

11 comments:

  1. This sounds like a bowl of comfort food, and I like your suggested changes. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I like pretty much anything with pasta, and this was a little different recipe.

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  2. I need to give this a try - this sauce sounds wonderful!

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    1. Try making it with shallots, the onion overpowered it for my taste, and I love onions.

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  3. That sounds (and looks!) delicious - what a nice alternative to "regular" pasta. YUM.

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  4. Wow, looks and sounds really tasty.

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    1. The crunch of the walnuts was a lovely surprise on top.

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  5. We would Creamy Peas and Walnut Sauce looks so delicious, and this is a great recipe for the SRC.
    Have a good week!
    Miz Helen

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    Replies
    1. This was fun new recipe to try, and thanks to SRC I got to.
      Have a great week yourself.

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  6. Thanks for linking in to Food on Friday: Pasta and Noodles. We are getting a fantastic collection of all things pasta and noodles.
    I am now signed up to follow you. A follow back to Carole's Chatter would be wonderful – or are you already following? Cheers

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