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Monday, July 18, 2011

Pasta Gorgonzola with Asparagus and Peas



The Secret Recipe Club is a relatively new fun way to meet new blogging friends.  Everyone is assigned a blog.  We're to choose a recipe from that blog, make it and post it at our assigned time along with a link to all the other Secret Recipe Club member's blogs.  Sounded like a lot of fun to me.  And, it was.  But, I had a heckuva time selecting a recipe.  The blog I  was assigned was CookwithSara@blogspot.com.  I kept reading and reading and reading and I wanted to make every other recipe. How to choose.  Sara's recipes have loads of great flavors and most of them are perfect for weeknights.  They're not too easy and not too tough.  Just perfect.  I finally narrowed my choices down to three.  Then, I realized I had a bunch of asparagus that really had to be used up.  The Pasta Gorgonzola with Asparagus and Peas it was. 

What did we think?  We absolutely loved this.  The only change I made was to thicken the sauce a bit more so it'd cling to the pasta a little better.  Typically, we'd eat this as a vegetarian meal with a salad and a glass of wine but as Sara says in her blog, if you're not into the vegetarian thing, just serve this as a side dish. 

Pasta Gorgonzola with Asparagus and Peas

Ingredients:

8 oz penne or gemeli
2 T butter (I increased this from 1 T)
2 T flour (I increased this from 1 T)
1 c chicken or vegetable broth
1 c frozen green peas
1/2 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 c crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/3 c half and half


Directions:
Start your pasta water.  In a large skillet, melt the butter. 



When the butter is melted, stir in the flour. 




Start your pasta cooking. Allow the flour to cook for a few minutes



and slowly stir in the chicken stock. 



Cook until it's slightly thickened.   Add the cheese and stir until it melts in.  Add the half and half.  When the pasta has a minute to cook, add the asparagus and peas to the pasta water.  Drain the pasta vegetables and toss them into the skillet with the sauce. 



Toss to coat the pasta. 

Thank you Sara for a fantastic recipe!  I'm looking forward to finally  being able to follow your blog :-)

If you'd like to be a part of the Secret Recipe Club, here's the link:  Secret Recipe Club.



19 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm making the mistake of reading wonderful recipes when I haven't eaten yet. It's not right for pasta to make my stomach grumble before noon! I agree with the thickened sauce so it sticks to everything. This looks perfect, as a side or main dish.

Sara said...

Kate, I'm so glad you liked this! It is yummy and easy. Isn't it fun to see what other people made from your blog? I'm hooked, that's for sure!

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

This looks delicious! I love a good pasta dish! Glad to be doing the SRC with you!

I am hosting Presto Pasta Nights this week if you want to enter this to be included in the round up at the end of the week. Details here,

http://www.prestopastanights.com/

Eliotseats said...

Had to check this out b/c I love Gorgonzola. (Saw it on the Secret Recipe Club Hop AND FB.) Will try this and will check out Sara's site. Also, I think you beat me out. I got 2nd in the Eggland's Best contest. Your winner looks divine!!!! Congrats!

amanda @ fake ginger said...

This looks seriously delicious! Gorgonzola with asparagus is one of my favorite combinations so I know I would love it!

Helen in Houston said...

I'm rarely hungry when I get up in the morning, and a cup of coffee usually suffices. But when I found your mouth-watering recipe, my stomach began to growl and I immediately went to the kitchen. This pasta is absolutely delicious!

Beth said...

This looks terrific. I think you made a great choice!

Shelby said...

This sounds so flavorful...I love the mixture of ingredients!

Lisa~~ said...

Looks wonderful and we love both asparagus and peas.

If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my SRC recipe this month: Holy Guacamole.

Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook

Anonymous said...

this is such a fantastic idea!

Melanie said...

Gorgonzola and asparagus and peas? A match made in heaven!

RJ Flamingo said...

I love this. I don't have any asparagus, though... hmmm... wonder how it would work with broccoli... or cauliflower...

Kim - Liv Life said...

Pasta, gorgonzola and veggies??? You got it... and I'll take it!! Love, love love this one!!

Unknown said...

I love pasta with Gorgonzola, I actually prefer it to Alfredo. This looks fantastic!

Kate@Diethood said...

I would 'absolutely love' this, too!!! What a delicious dish!

MrsJenB said...

Oooooh dangerously delicious! I'd probably eat the whole thing ;)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, what a great choice, Kate! As picky as Bill is, he doesn't mind blue cheese...I think we'd both love this winner~

marla said...

Love the asparagus & peas in this cheesy pasta :) So fun to be in the Secret Recipe Club with you.

Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy said...

I love the addition of gorgonzola... yum! Pasta is always so delicious.