lemony parma ham and asparagus penne

i rarely make creamy sauces to accompany pasta but all the rain that we’ve been having has demanded comfort food and the addition of cream to something is an easy way to do this.

this penne dish offers the comfort of a rich creamy sauce but the summery flavours of lemon and asparagus remind you that sunshine will return at some point soon. not soon enough is all i can say: as i sit typing this, the rain is pouring down and thunder and lightning add excitement over london town.

this dish is my contribution to presto pasta nights, as hosted by ruth at once upon a feast.

lemony parma ham and asparagus penne (serves 2)

10-12 spears of asparagus

penne for two

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

150ml double cream

zest of 1 lemon

8 slices parma ham, torn into bite size pieces

parmesan shavings

boil the asparagus for 5 minutes until just cooked. remove from the boiling water and leave to cool. add the penne to the water and cook until al dente.

meanwhile, heat the olive oil and gently fry the garlic until it softens and you can smell it. add the cream and lemon zest, turn the heat off and leave to infuse.

cut the cooked asparagus into bite size pieces and add to the lemony cream.

when the penne is ready, drain it and stir into the asparagus and cream mix. add the parma ham and serve with the parmesan.

Comments

[Patricia Scarpin]

I know I'd be more than glad eating this pasta dish - it looks so good!

[abby]

thanks patricia. i think it's one of the better pictures of pasta i've managed to take - they often look so unappealing!

[Ruth]

I gained 5 pounds just reading this! Sounds wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights. Check for the roundup on Friday.

[abby]

i'm glad you like the sound of it ruth! sorry about the weight gain though...

[Katerina]

Looks fabulous, I admit to enjoying a little cream added to a pasta dish every once and while. It can be a cheat but it can also bring instant richness. Love the combination of lemon, asparagus and hame. Yum.

[abby]

hi katerina, cream is a good cheat isn't it - definitely worth it every now and then!

[Dayna]

y u m. I think I'll be trying this one... minus the ham;)

[abby]

presumably you'll be skipping the cream too dayna!