Spring Pasta with Leeks, Green Peas, Asparagus and Sausage

Spring Pasta with Leeks, Green Peas, Asparagus and Sausage Makes 6 servings

Ingredients: 2 bunches of leeks – slice the white/light green parts into 1-inch strips – $4.00 1 bunch asparagus (about 25 stalks), cut into 1-inch pieces – $3.89 1/2-lb lean sweet Italian-style turkey or chicken sausage, casing removed – $4.99 1.5 cups frozen peas – $1.59 13 oz package of whole wheat penne, rigatoni or bowties – $1.69 3 TBS olive oil – stock 1/2 TBS butter – stock 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes – stock 1/2 cup white cooking wine – stock 1/2 cup chicken broth – stock 3 TBS of water reserved from boiling the pasta – stock 1/2 cup parmesan (optional) – $4.99 Salt and pepper to taste – stock Grand total assuming “well-stocked” kitchen (with optional parmesan): $21.15 Cost per serving: $3.53 Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 550 degrees. 2. In a large skillet, heat 2 TBS olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add leeks. Saute until tender (don’t burn) for about 7 minutes. Add white wine and increase heat to high and simmer until liquid reduces to a glaze (this happens rather quickly, about 2 minutes). Reduce heat to medium, add broth and bring to a simmer. Set aside. 3. Remove tough ends of asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces and toss with olive oil and salt & pepper. Place asparagus on a baking sheet and roast in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes or until the asparagus florets are turning a nice golden brown – keep checking on them though to ensure they don’t burn, every oven is different. Set asparagus aside. 4. Meanwhile, boil a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once the water is boiling, quickly blanch frozen peas – basically, pop them in for 2 minutes and then remove with a slotted spoon. Set aside. Bring the same pot of water back to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 3 TBS of pasta water. 5. In another large skillet, brown the sausage (casings removed) over medium-high heat. Break into small crumbles while cooking. Add the red pepper flakes. 6. Combine all ingredients in one large skillet and toss well with the reserved pasta water. Cook over low heat for about a minute then sprinkle with parmesan cheese (if desired) and enjoy!