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Introducing: Five items
By Ann | November 20, 2007
Welcome to a new feature on this blog, in which I attempt to create a meal out of five ingredients or less.
Today’s challenge involves one of my favorite freezer staples: frozen peas. I love, love, love peas — not necessarily to eat, but rather the word, pea. Or, in French, petits pois. It’s just so darn cute and appealing! Anyway, I digress. What to do when it’s Sunday night, your husband wants pasta, and you have massive amounts of peas left over from last night’s dinner party?
I used the following five items:
- Frozen peas
- garlic
- chicken stock
- nonfat ricotta cheese
- penne pasta
I sauteed some chopped garlic in olive oil until soft, added about 1 cup of chicken broth, and then the peas. My peas were cooked, so I just heated them through, then pureed everything with my immersion blender. I swirled in some ricotta cheese and then tossed everything with the penne, along with a 1/2 cup whole peas for garnish (*okay, I forgot to save out the whole peas, but I should have done this). A sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese on top, et voila! — pates aux petits pois.
Next time I might add some fresh or dried mint, because peas and mint are a lovely combination. But that would increase the list to six ingredients.
Topics: Five items |
November 20th, 2007 at 10:45 am
The pasta-craving husband can confirm: This was a fabulous dish. I snuck into the kitchen before tackling the dishes and scooped out a few more tubes of penne for dessert. The penne aux petits pois heated up beautifully the next day for lunch at the office.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
ooh, i love this idea! i am a beginner cook so i’d love to try these simple but delicious recipes. i’m excited about your blog:)
November 21st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I can’t wait to try out the pea and pasta dish. “Five Items” is a great topic. Could you substitute beans for the peas for a heartier version? One thing you didn’t mention is the low fat and low sodium content of this dish, a rarity.
November 30th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Being on a salt free diet, this “Five Items” should fit in perfectly as another option for me, but more important it may be something even I can manage to put together.