Pea And Pecorino Puree Recipes

PEA PUREE

Steps:

• Fill a pan with cold water and throw in the clove of garlic. Bring to the boil and then add salt and the peas. Cook until tender, drain, and put into a food processor, or blender, and add the creme fraiche, cheese, and dried mint. Puree the peas until knobbly and check the seasoning, adding salt if you need to. Tip the pureed peas into a bowl (or back in the pan is probably a better idea) and cover to keep them warm.

TAGLIATELLE WITH MASHED PEAS AND PECORINO

Steps:

• Blanch fresh peas in a large pot of salted boiling water until bright green and just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander with a slotted spoon. (If using frozen peas, skip this step.)
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes. Add peas and lightly mash with the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, return pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
• Add pasta to skillet and cook, tossing to coat with pea mixture. Add butter and 1/2 cup pasta water; toss to evenly coat (adding more water if necessary). Top with cheese, season with pepper, and serve.

PENNE WITH PEA PESTO, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, AND PECORINO

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the peas and blanch for 30 seconds, or a little longer if the peas are large. Drain and cool quickly in ice water, then drain again. Place the peas in a food processor with the garlic, mint, pecorino, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until well chopped. With the motor running, add the olive oil through the feed tube. Puree until the pesto is nearly but not completely smooth. A slightly coarse texture is pleasing.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the English peas and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of the boiling pasta water. Simmer until the peas are almost tender, about 5 minutes, adding more hot pasta water if necessary. Add the sugar snap peas and sauté until they lose their raw taste, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Set aside about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta. Return it to the hot pot and add the braised peas, pea pesto, and several grinds of black pepper. Toss well, moistening with some of the reserved pasta water. Divide among 6 warm bowls. Top each portion with a little grated pecorino. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay or another medium- to full-bodied white wine.