Spring Pea Pasta with Ricotta and Herbs

 

 

 

Spring is in the air and Easter is just around the corner.  We all want to take a dish to Sunday dinner that is full of flavor but just a little bit different that what you've always done.  This is a one pot wonder that fills the bill quite nicely.  Thirty minutes from start to serve with the comfort of  pasta and the zest of fresh herbs!

 

You'll need:

 

2 tbsp. Chives, freshly chopped

1/2 cup Flat-leaf parsley, firmly packed fresh leaves

2  tbsp. Tarragon, fresh

8 oz. penne pasta

1/4 cup Kosher salt

2 tbsp. salted butter

1 cup Ricotta cheese

2 (8oz) pkgs Sugar snap peas, trimmed and strings removed

1 (13-oz.) pkg. Peas, frozen sweet

Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a stockpot over high. Add 1/4 cup salt; return to a boil. Add pasta; boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Stir in sugar snap peas, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in sweet peas, and cook 1 minute. Drain pasta mixture, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.

 

Return pasta mixture to pot. Add ricotta, parsley, butter, chives, tarragon, and reserved cooking water; stir to coat. Serve immediately.  Voila, that's all it!

 

This would be great for a meatless Monday meal.  Just add a tossed salad and you have a light but filling meal

Coffee Balls

All my life, I've loved the smell of coffee but hated the taste!  I've tried several times and in several flavors but never quite hit it off with java.  That is - until two weeks ago!  Portland Coffee Company beckoned to me and I fell totally in love with chocolate crème, white chocolate mocha and
kara-mocha. 

This heavenly brew has brought me to a custom thermal mug to keep it hot and I limit myself to one a day!

While watching a recent BBQ pit masters show - a featured dessert was Coffee Balls!  I knew the moment I saw it that I MUST find the recipe - and I did find it!  I hope you enjoy this deliciously sweet chocolate coffee bundle of heaven!

You'll Need:

2 cups finely crushed shortbread cookies
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee or instant espresso powder
5 Tablespoons brewed espresso or strong coffee
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

When I say crush your cookies, I mean pulverize them!  No lumps!  Lumps are the enemy of a well rolled coffee ball. 

Mix crushed cookies, powdered sugar, cocoa, cinnamon and instant coffee with the brewed espresso.  This should be just enough moisture to bring your ingredients together into a sticky concoction.  Roll into 1 1/4 inch balls and place on wax paper.  Toss each ball lightly in the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar then leave balls on the counter for an hour to let them dry.

If you're super sweet, toss the balls in powdered sugar again before storing them in an air tight container.  This simple no bake recipe yields about 2 dozen coffee balls.  Plenty to enjoy and share with your friends and family!

These are super yummy and best served with a cup of your favorite cup of Joe or a big cold glass of milk! 

Pop them in a cute cookie tin and take them to your next gathering, book review or even a meeting at work.  You'll win a friend, I promise!