The start of farmers’ markets in Ontario is a slow one with few vendors coming out and even fewer selling fresh produce but rather focusing on meat, preserves and baked goods.
Asparagus is one of the earliest available vegetables in Ontario and we have been eating lots of it the past few weeks. One of the asparagus dished that I made was a creamy and rich pasta dish. It was quickly gobbled up by everyone but then again bacon, cream and cheese usually have that effect in our home.
Hope that you get your hands on some asparagus before they disappear from your local market and that you try this recipe. Its quick and a great weeknight option.
Creamy Asparagus and Bacon Pasta
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Penny
Recipe type: Pasta
Ingredients
- 150g bacon, cut into thin strips
- 2 shallots, minced
- 1 medium bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into inch long pieces
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup Parmesan, grated plus more for sprinkling on top
- 400g of shell pasta or any other shaped pasta
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed pan and over medium to high heat, cook the bacon till crispy and fat has rendered. If needed you can add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to help the cooking process.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Leave two tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan and add the minced shallots and cook over medium heat for one minute till soften.
- Add the asparagus and cook for another 3 or 4 minutes. Asparagus should be cooked but remain crisp.
- Deglaze with the wine. Let the wine evaporate and add the cream. Cook the sauce down to thicken for about three minutes. Add the Parmesan to the sauce. Stir and remove from heat.
- Meanwhile cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve one cup of cooking liquid and drain pasta. Add the pasta to the cream sauce. Add some of the pasta water a little at a time till you reach the desired thickness for your sauce (I usually only add about ¼ cup).
- Plate the pasta, top with some bacon and Parmesan. Serve warm.
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