Food By Franz

Prosciutto and Pea Pasta – It is “Pea Fect” for a cozy couples night dinner.

Prosciutto – it’s the Italian word for ham. It taste is nothing like American ham. Cured for at least months – Prosciutto has a wonderfully spicy and smoky taste that will open your taste buds. This is an easy and economical dinner. The prosciutto is reasonably priced and available locally at any major grocer or Italian deli. Locally, Granatos is my favorite stop, they have multiple types of this ham, that they will slice to order – making it especially economical!

1 3oz pkg of Prosciutto
1/2 onion, sliced thin
garlic clove – minced
1 C frozen peas
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp butter/oleo
1.5 C milk
Ground Pepper
basil (3 leaves of fresh chopped finely or 1/2 tsp dried)
topping options – parsley and or hard grated cheese – Parmesan, Romano, Asiago
8 oz pasta of your choice (- linguine, penne, any hearty pasta works nicely)

Slice the prosciutto into thin strips, saute In a 10″ pan until slightly crisp (about 4 minutes). Set aside – in the same skillet – saute the thin sliced onions, add the garlic and butter – after the butter is melted – add the flour – mix well and allow the flour/butter to cook for about 3 minutes – add milk and stir thoroughly – this will thicken up in several minutes. Add the prosciutto, peas and pepper back to the pan and allow to heat through. Serve over pasta of your choice. Sprinkle with Parmesan or Romano cheese and/or parsley if they are handy –

This is a hearty meal for two – but if your hubby is like mine – he LOVES his pasta and will finish all of this. Recipe may be doubled, but only use 5oz of prosciutto as it will over flavor the sauce. Notice that there is no salt added to this recipe – the meat provides all.
One note – if you see Prosciutto De Parma or Prosciutto De Angelo – it denotes the area of Italy that it was made!

igourmet 3-oz. Sliced Italian Prosciutto Sliced Italian Prosciutto