Fettuccini Rigate with Peas & Pancetta

This recipe is adapted from one that I found on ABC's tv website by Rocco DiSpirito. I increased the amounts of pasta and other ingredients to serve 6 or 8 people. I don't know if you can find fettuccini rigate at your local grocery store but Barilla has just come out with it in our area. The difference between regular fettuccini and fettuccini rigate is that the rigate has lines in the pasta. The lines actually help hold the sauce onto the pasta. If you have ever eaten regular fettuccini you might have noticed that the sauce sort of drips right off. I also added the peas and pancetta. You could also add chicken and broccoli. The combinations are numerous. I just tasted this pasta and I like it a lot. I think it is quite yummy. It has much less fat than the normal Alfredo pasta sauce. I would definitely make this again if the boys enjoy it. I have to say that I like anything with ham and peas. It is a very "Italian" combination from what I have seen. You can always leave out the peas and just do bacon or ham but that just seems wrong to me. The only complaint was that there was not enough sauce. Next time, I'll have to increase the amounts for the sauce again or decrease the amount of pasta.

Fettuccini Rigate with Peas & Pancetta

1 box Fettuccine Rigate (Barilla)

2 tablespoon butter

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons cornstarch

Pinch of ground nutmeg

1-1/2 cup low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth

3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1-1/2 cup 5% Greek yogurt

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cups frozen peas, thawed

¼ pound Pancetta cut into strips (may substitute ham or bacon)

Cooking Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package directions, 9 to 11 minutes; drain.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and pancetta and cook until fat is rendered. Discard excess fat.

Meanwhile, combine the cornstarch and nutmeg in a small bowl. Whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Pour the mixture into the sauté pan, add the peas, raise the heat, and bring the sauce to a simmer, whisking occasionally. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the cheese until it has melted. Remove the sauté pan from the heat and whisk in the yogurt until the sauce is smooth.

In a large bowl, toss the cooked fettuccine with the Alfredo sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top the pasta with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese, and serve.

Serves 6-8

Enjoy!

The Creative Cook

Lemon Blueberry Jumbo Muffins

I made these muffins especially for my husband. He had requested jumbo muffins. Since he bought me two jumbo muffin tins for Christmas, I figure I owe him some muffins. I found this recipe which was originally written to use raspberries. I would say you could even substitute strawberries cut into quarters or eights. I just took the muffins out of the oven. Watch these muffins carefully. I baked them at 400 degrees for 22 minutes and they came out slightly charred. Next time I make them, I will bake them at 350 degrees for 25 minutes and go from there. I also added a topping to make them more lemony which is optional.

Of course, you could make these muffins in regular size muffin tins which would probably make at least 12 muffins or you could even make them in mini muffin tins which would probably make at least 24 muffins.

LEMON BLUEBERRY JUMBO MUFFINS

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 25 Minutes

Servings: 8

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1 cup all purpose flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour)

1 cup sugar (I used 1-3/4 cups powdered sugar)

3 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup half-and-half (I used buttermilk)

½ cup vegetable oil (I used safflower oil)

1 teaspoon lemon extract (I used 3 teaspoons lemon juice)

1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries (or raspberries)

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)

1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar (optional)

Topping (Optional):

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. In another bowl, combine the eggs, cream, oil and extract.
3. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
4. Fold in berries.
5. Fill greased jumbo muffin cups two-thirds full.
6. Sprinkle with Turbinado sugar (if using).
7. Bake at 400 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
9. Combine butter and lemon juice for the topping.
10. While muffins are still warm, dip the tops into the butter and lemon juice, then dip in sugar.
11. Serve warm.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com submitted by Carol Thoreson

Enjoy!

The Creative Cook