Asparagus with Bowtie Pasta
The day that all the beautiful dark green asparagus hits the market, it is spring. On Sunday, a day for pasta, this recipe draws us into a reverie of a warm afternoon in May in the Italian part of southern Switzerland, near Lake Lugano. A blackboard outside a stately-looking restaurant on the town square announces the featured dish, bowtie pasta with fresh asparagus in a cream sauce. Quintessential springtime!
Makes 4 Servings - $1.77 per serving Show Detailed Pricing
- 1/2 pound asparagus
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces penne pasta bowtie pasta
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 1/2 cup white wine, drier wine works best
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: About 10 minutes
Instructions:
- Set a wide, shallow pan of water on high heat and add a pinch of salt.
- When the water comes to a boil, add the asparagus and cook 3-4 minutes or until the stalks can be pierced easily with a fork. Remove asparagus from the pan and shock under cold water to set the color. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pan, bring water back to a boil and add the bowtie pasta. Cook until al dente, about 6-7 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, set a small saucepan on medium heat with the olive oil and the garlic. Simmer for a couple of minutes and add the wine. Let the wine bubble for 3-5 minutes, to cook off the alcohol and reduce the quantity slightly. Remove pan from the heat. Add the cream and stir well until the sauce is a uniform texture.
- Cut 2 inches off the tips of the asparagus stalks and add them to the cream sauce. Slice the remaining stalks into 1/2 inch pieces and add them to the sauce as well.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain and return to the pasta pan. Pour the sauce over the pasta and turn the heat to low, simmering briefly to thicken the sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To serve, spoon the bowties and sauce into each dish, allowing a few tips and some of the cut stalks onto each serving.
