two-pea pasta with ricotta and tarragon.

I'm always on the search for new pasta recipes, so when I found this one online at Delish.com, I thought it sounded great and couldn't wait to give it a try myself.


the recipe
coarse salt and ground pepper
12 ounces gemelli or other short pasta
12 ounces sugar snap peas
1 10-ounce package frozen peas
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese


1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 3 minutes less than al dente. Add snap peas; cook 2 minutes, add peas, and cook 1 minute more. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and vegetables and return to pot.
2. Toss pasta and vegetables with butter, tarragon, and ricotta, adding a little reserved pasta water as needed to create a thin sauce that coats pasta; season with salt and pepper.
3. Divide pasta among four serving bowls and garnish with tarragon, if desired. Serve immediately.


substitutions
I didn't have tarragon. I know that tarragon has a really unique flavor and there isn't really a complete substitution for it, so I just through some oregano in there for some flavor.


great with
Like most pastas, this stands great on its own. I had my pasta with a salad.


the review
Man, was this good. I'm kind of obsessed with peas, so the "two-pea" part of the recipe immediately hooked me. This is really easy to make, and it tastes fantastic. As far as sauces go, it's not heavy at all. I've been enjoying the leftovers for a few days now. I highly recommend making this.

orzo with buttered bread crumbs.

I am not one to take to the Internet to complain, so I'll just say that I'm not having a fantastic week, and leave it at that. On the bright side, I allowed myself to take part in some of my favorite comfort food. To me, this recipe is up there with homemade macaroni and cheese. Though I usually stick with fairly healthy meals most of the time, let's face it--it's nice to indulge every once in a while.


the recipe
8 oz. orzo
1 stick of butter
seasoned bread crumbs
Boil water and add the orzo. In a small frying pan, melt 1 stick of butter. As the butter melts, add enough seasoned bread crumbs to absorb all the butter. After the orzo is cooked and drained, stir in the melted butter and bread crumbs. Add salt and pepper to taste.


substitutions
Look at that recipe. There are only good things going on there, trust me.


great with
Pretty much whatever strikes your fancy. I love, and I mean, I really LOVE peas, so I tend to throw them into this recipe, as the picture at the top indicates. I'll also usually have it with a Morningstar Farms Chicken Pattie.


the review
This is a really simple combination of food, but it's really good. The secret to this recipe is not skimping on the bread crumbs. When made correctly, this is the ultimate comfort food.