Primavera pasta

Ingredients

• 6 oz (160g) pasta (fusilli or penne)
• 1.5 tablespoons frying oil
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium zucchini
• 3.5 oz (100g) green beans (a small handful)
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 large cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1 cup heavy cream (30-36%, 240 ml)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (2 oz/50g)
• salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare all the vegetables: cut the bell pepper into 1/4-inch (1/2 cm) strips, zucchini into 1/3-inch (3/4 cm) half-slices, green beans in half crosswise, cut off the woody ends of asparagus (white parts) and cut the asparagus into 2-3 parts, cut the garlic into very thin slices.

2. 2

   Cook the pasta al dente. 5 minutes before the end of the cooking, add the green beans (thin green beans need 4-5 minutes cooking time, thicker beans about 5-6 minutes). Strain the pasta and beans.

3. 3

   Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan, add the bell pepper and half of the zucchini. Cook over high heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly browned but still very crunchy (they cannot be very soft). Transfer the vegetables to a plate.

4. 4

   Add half a tablespoon of oil and the other half of zucchini and asparagus to the pan. Cook it the same way as described above. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.

5. 5

   Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan and when it's melted add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds.

6. 6

   Add the broth, scrape all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spatula and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, or until the broth thickens a little.

7. 7

   Add the cream and lemon zest. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

8. 8

   Season the sauce with lemon juice (it should be very lemony).

9. 9

   Add the peas and cook in the sauce for 30-60 seconds (fresh peas will need about 20 sec and the frozen peas about a minute).

10. 10

    Add the grated Parmesan cheese, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Take the pan off the heat.

11. 11

    Add the cooked vegetables and pasta. Stir everything together, season with more salt and pepper if necessary.

12. 12

    Serve with more grated Parmesan cheese and optionally fresh basil leaves.

13. 13

    Enjoy!