Tortellini with Peas and Pancetta

I saw this in the Food Network Magazine and thought it looked so good I had to try it. I experimented with Isaac last night and it was so good. Light but filling.

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 pound meat-filled tortellini
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces prosciutto or pancetta, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook as the label directs.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and prosciutto and cook until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Ladle in about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and simmer until reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

About 2 minutes before the tortellini are done, add the peas to the boiling water and cook until just tender. Drain the tortellini and peas and add to the skillet, tossing to coat with the sauce. Stir in the parsley. Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.

Per serving: Calories 475; Fat 27 g (Saturated 10 g); Cholesterol 195 mg; Sodium 1,237 mg; Carbohydrate 28 g; Fiber 3 g; Protein 29 g

This was such a good a dish! You should try it in the near future. Happy Cooking!

Lemon Filled Angel Food Cupcakes Update!

So, I fixed these today and I must say they turned out pretty good. I think I just like regular cake instead of angel food, but the angel food are very light and it is so easy to pipe the lemon curd into them! This is a must try whether or not you use lemon curd of some other filling.

Happy Cooking or Baking in this case!

Lemon Filled Angel Food Cupcakes

This on should be super simple, I'm trying this one this week, so I'll let you know how it was on Tuesday. Amanda is having a Celebrating Home party and I wanted an excuse to bake. All I use is a box angel food cake mix. Mix and bake according to box. Once the cupcakes are baked, use a long piping tip, fill disposable piping bag with lemon curd. Pipe a small amount of lemon curd inside each of the cupcakes and let cool. You can ice the cupcakes how ever you want, with just a dot on top to cover the puncture hole or decorate with a flower, which I think I may do. :) It is spring after all!



Good Luck and Happy Cooking!

Spring is Here!

I haven't tried this one yet, although I think I will very soon!

Ingredients:

• 3 c all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 c sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 c mashed ripe banana
• 1 can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 c chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 c sweet desiccated coconut 
• 1 can Cream Cheese icing
• OPTIONAL: dried pineapple flower

Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with paper liners, I think I will use cute spring colors. :) In medium bowl, whisk cinnamon, flour, baking soda, and salt. 

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, vanilla, and sugar until combined, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating each before adding the next. Beat at medium speed until mixture is pale yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

In a medium bowl, stir together banana, pineapple, walnuts, and coconut. Add to egg mixture, mixing until combined. Stir in flour mixture.

Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cupcakes have cooled, use a small offset spatula to frost tops of each cupcake. Decorate with dried pineapple flowers, if desired.

Hope you enjoy, I'll post again after I these out! Feel free to leave comments or other decorating ideas. Happy Cooking!

New Dishes in Pretty Polka Dot!

This is going to be my future set of dishes!  I'm so in love with these. Now I can't wait to get into my new kitchen and start using them!

Happy Cooking! I know I will be with these! Check out Celebratinghome.com to find more.