The New Pasta Cookbook- Fresh Herb Fettuccine With Smoked Salmon and Asparagus

I recently bought a Rosemary plant and I killed it already. I wish I could grown herbs as I have always been interested in them.
This information and recipe is from The New Pasta Cookbook by Johanne Glynn.
"Pasta flavored with fresh herbs makes a wonderful base for light, fresh sauces. Herbs and vegetables that are in season at the same time, like basil and asparagus in this recipe, often make perfect partners and require little else to flavor the dish. Along with the taste, the attractive apperance of green herbs through the pasta is reason enough to serve it with just melted butter and grated cheese. Try basil pasta with a cold sauce made from fresh ripe tomatoes, or fettuccine flavored with fresh sage coated with a creamy Gorgonzola sauce."

Fresh Herb Fettuccine With Smoked Salmon And Asparagus

Pasta:

1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

pinch salt

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil

2 eggs

Sauce:

3/4 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, peeled and halved

2 tablespoons butter

5 oz. sliced smoked salmon, cut into strips

1 cup cream

freshly ground black pepper

1. To prepare pasta: Pile flour and salt on a work surface and make a well in the center. Add hervs and eggs and begin to incorporate into the flour, using a fork. When you have loosely coherent dough, use you hands and knead it, adding a little flour or water if necessary, until it is smooth and elastic. Knead for a least 6 minutes and then let stand, coverd with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, for 30 minutes.

2. Divide the dough into two and roll each half out into a thin, even sheet using a rolling pin or a hand-cranked pasta machine. Let stand, covered, for ten minutes. before cutting the sheet into fettuccine. Set aside. Cover only if the pasta will have time to dry out and crack before cooking.

3. To prepare sauce: In a large saucepan of boiling water put the bottom halves of the asparagus; boil for a minute before adding the tops and continue to cook until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse under cold water. Drain, and when cool enough to handle, cut each half in half again, discarding any woody sections. Top up the pan of water and bring back to the boil. Add fettuccine.

4. In a large fryring pan melt butter and add smoked salmon. Saute gently for 30 seconds before adding cream. Increase the heat a little and cook to thicken, then add black pepper generously and toss in asparagus.

5. When pasta is al dente, drain and transer to the pan with sauce. Toss, then serve with freshly grated Parmesan and the pepper mill. Serves 4.

Lemons A Country Garden Cookbook- Pappardelle with Lemon and Asparagus

This recipe is from one of the books my husband bought the other day- Lemons A Country Garden Cookbook by Christopher Idone. It is full of lovely photos of lemons in various settings and the recipe photos are very attractive also. It feature lemon recipes from every dinner course. This recipe seems like a delicious Spring meal. Lemons are so versatile I wish I had planted a tree in my yard years ago. Instead I have an orange tree that never produces anything but sucker shoots and a half dead miniature grapefruit tree.

Pappardelle with Lemon and Asparagus

"No peeling, no fuss. When pencil asparagus are available at the market, this makes for an easy pasta supper."
1 pound pencil-thin asparagus, approximately 32 asparagus
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 pound fresh or dried pappardele
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Zest of 1 lemon, cut into julienne
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Cutting on the diagonal, trim the tough ends of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus into 3 or4 even pieces on the diagonal. In a nonreactive kettle of lightly salted boiling water, cook the asparagus for 2 minutes or until just crisp. Save water for pasta. Blanch in cold running water and drain.
In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter and cream. Allow to cook at low simmer.
Cook the pappardelle in the kettle of salted boiling water until al dente and drain well. While the pasta is boiling, heat the oil in a large skillet and add the blanched asparagus. Add the hot cream mixture and fold in the lemon juice. Season with pepper. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss well. Divide among 4 or 5 warm soup plates and sprinkle with juilienned zest. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese. Serves 4 to 5.

Hunt's Simple Meals For Busy Days- Festive Skillet Chicken

This recipe is from Hunt's Simple Meals For Busy Days. This is a great little cookbook with 65 recipes that you would actually make, no unusual ingredients, just foods you are likely to have on hand. Of course they all call for Hunt's tomato products.

Festive Skillet Chicken

2-1/2 to 3 pounds meaty chicken pieces
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoon oil
1 14-1/2 oz. can Hunt's Choice-Cut Diced Tomatoes
1 4 oz. can diced green chili peppers, drained
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 to 3 cups hot cooked rice
Rinse chicken; pat dry with paper towels. Combine flour, the 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and the chili powder in a paper or plastic bag. Shake chicken, a few pieces at a time, in flour mixture until well coated. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken in the hot oil about 10 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned, turning to brown evenly. Drain off fat.
Meanwhile, combine undrained tomatoes, chili peppers, green pepper, onion, olives cilantro, and the 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder in a small mixing bowl, mix well. Pour tomato mixture over chicken in skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 40 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Serve over hot cooked rice. Serves 6 to 8.