Truffle & Pancetta Pasta with Asparagus & Spinach page

Step by Step method

Step 1.

Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Snap off and discard the tough, woody stem ends of the asparagus; cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces (keeping the pointed tips intact). Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Halve the radishes lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Thinly slice the chives. Roughly chop the pistachios. In a large bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil; season with salt and pepper.

Step 2.

2Cook the pancetta

Step 3.

In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the pancetta. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 4.

3Cook the pasta

Step 5.

Meanwhile, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 11 to 13 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Turn off the heat. Reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, drain thoroughly.

Step 6.

4Cook the vegetables

Step 7.

In the pan of reserved fond, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the asparagus pieces and sliced shallot; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until wilted. Add the verjus. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until combined. Turn off the heat.

Step 8.

5Make the salad

Step 9.

To the bowl of dressing, add the arugula and sliced radishes; season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

Step 10.

6Finish the pasta & serve your dish

Step 11.

To the pan of cooked vegetables, add the cooked pasta, mascarpone, butter, cooked pancetta, as much of the truffle zest as you'd like, and half the reserved pasta cooking water. Cook on medium-high, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the pasta is coated (if necessary, gradually add the remaining cooking water to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated). Turn off the heat. Serve the finished pasta with the salad on the side. Garnish the pasta with the parmesan and sliced chives. Top the salad with the chopped pistachios. Enjoy!