Spinach-Ricotta Pesto Pasta with Crisp Prosciutto and Asparagus
- 1 pound orecchiette or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 ounces prosciutto, cut into 2-inch strips
- 12 ounces asparagus, trimmed and sliced thinly on bias (about 2 cups)
- 3/4 cup Spinach-Ricotta Dip, recipe follows
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed
- 1/2 cup fresh ricotta
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat.
- When it boils, add pasta and cook as indicated on box.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- When it shimmers, add prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally, until prosciutto is crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Add asparagus and toss to coat evenly.
- Let cook until asparagus just starts to get browned on the edges, about 3 minutes.
- Remove 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Add a few tablespoons of the water to the asparagus mixture, stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate browned bits, and remove from heat.
- Drain pasta and return to pot (off heat), add remaining reserved pasta cooking water, asparagus, Spinach-Ricotta Dip, and stir until thoroughly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, as desired.
- Serve immediately.
- In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat.
- When oil shimmers, add pine nuts and cook until they make a popping noise and start to brown, about 1 minute.
- Stir in garlic and onion and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Transfer onion mixture to a food processor fitted with a blade, add in remaining ingredients, and process until smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, as necessary.
- Yield: 2 cups
penne pasta, olive oil, olive oil, nuts, yellow onion, garlic, frozen spinach, fresh ricotta, kosher salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/spinach-ricotta-pesto-pasta-with-crisp-prosciutto-and-asparagus-recipe.html (may not work)