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Angel Hair Pasta with Spring Vegetables and Red Pepper- Tomato Sauce

 

Nice alternative to marinara...
 

 

 

RED PEPPER- TOMATO SAUCE:

 

3 Tbs 

 

olive oil

 

1 medium 

 

onion, finely chopped

 

4 large 

 

(or 5 medium) red bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

 

2 large 

 

tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped

 

½ canned 

 

chipotle chile in adobo sauce, coarsely chopped (add a whole one for more spice)

 

1 bunch 

 

fresh basil, coarsely chopped

 

 

 

salt and freshly ground black pepper
 

 

 

 

PASTA:

 

1 lb 

 

thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch lengths

 

1½ cups 

 

frozen petite peas

 

1 recipe 

 

red pepper tomato sauce

 

1 large 

 

peeled yellow bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch-wide strips

 

1 lb 

 

dried angel hair pasta

 

1 Tbs 

 

finely chopped parsley (we used Italian flat-leaf)

 

½ cup 

 

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

 

1

Prepare sauce: In a large non-aluminum saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened.

2

Add bell peppers, tomatoes, chile, and basil, cover partially, and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, or until softened. Remove from heat.

3

Purée the vegetables in a food processor fitted with the metal blade for about 1 minute- until the mixture is smooth with some texture remaining. Add the salt and pepper. Taste for seasoning.

4

Prepare pasta: Fill saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Place the asparagus pieces in a kitchen strainer basket with a handle, lower into the boiling water, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Immediately transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water. Repeat the method to blanch the peas. Drain well.

5

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until al dente.

6

Meanwhile, place the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Add the asparagus, peas and yellow pepper and heat just until sauce is hot and the vegetables are warmed through.

7

Drain the pasta well and place in a serving bowl. Scoop out and reserve ¼ cup of the sauce and add the remaining sauce to the pasta. Toss to coat. Spoon the reserved sauce on top and sprinkle with the parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

 

Servings: 6
 

 Cooking Tips

*To peel the yellow bell pepper, I preheated my broiler and set pepper on a broiler pan about 3 inches from the heat. I kept turning it until it was pretty well charred on the outside. Then I put the pepper in a bag and sealed it for 10 minutes. The charred skin slipped right off and I seeded and chopped the pepper.

 

 Recipe Source

American Bistro

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