Orecchiette with Pancetta and Peas.

From Rachel Ray...

Ingredients

* Salt and pepper
* 1 pound orecchiette pasta
* 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 1/3 pound pancetta or speck (smoked pancetta) or lean, thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
* 2 cups frozen peas
* 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
* Grated peel of 1 lemon
* A handful of grated Pecorino Romano cheese
* 2 cups cow’s or sheep’s-milk ricotta cheese

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water.

While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat the EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook until softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the wine, then add the peas and heat through for 2 minutes; season with the thyme, lemon peel and pepper.

Add the reserved 1 cup pasta cooking water and the drained pasta; toss to combine. Add the Pecorino Romano and toss. Serve in bowls and top with the ricotta, for stirring in as you eat.

Key Lime Pie

In honour of Pi Day (March 14... 3-14, hah), I made this key lime pie for my husband last night. It's creamy and tangy and sweet all at the same time, so tasty!

(from Joy of Baking)

1 1.4 c graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp sugar
6 Tbsp butter, melted

3 large egg yolks
1 can (14oz/300mL) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup key lime juice (juice of about 1 lb key limes)
2 tsp lime zest

1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsp sugar

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar & butter. Press into a greased 9" pie or tart pan and place in the fridge to chill.

In the bowl of an electric mixer (if using a stand mixer, use the whisk attachment), whip egg yolks until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add the condensed milk and beat until light and fluffy, another 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, and beat in lime juice and zest.

Pour filling into prepared crust, and bake for 10 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool on a wire rack. Pie may be covered and refrigerated at this point up to two days.

Just before serving, beat whipping cream to soft peaks. Add sugar & beat until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon whipped cream onto pie and serve!

Chicken and Veggie Pockets

This recipe is from a baby/toddler cookbook so it's not a 'big' meal but great to make ahead, freeze and pull out for quick/easy lunches.

Chicken & Veggie Pockets

1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Leek, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced, about 2/3C
2/3c fresh or frozen corn
1 1/4c finally chopped cooked chicken breast
1/2c shredded white cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
All purpose flour for dusting
1 large egg, lightly beaten

- In frying pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the leek and saute until soften, 5-8m. Add the corn and saute until tender, 2-3m longer. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool, then stir in teh chicken and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste

- Unfold 1 sheet of the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out to the thickness of about 1/8". using a 3" round cookie cutter (I used one of my drinking glasses that has a wide mouth), cut out 8 rounds and arrange on baking sheet. Repeat with the second puff pastry.

- Place 1-2 TBSP of the chicken mixture on one half of each round. Brush the edges of the round with the beaten egg and fold the dough over the filling to make a crescent shaped pocket. Press on the edges to help them adhere, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Pierce the pockets in severa places with the fork. Brush the tops lightly with a little more of the beaten egg. Refrigerate for about 20m

- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Transfer the pockets directly from the refrigerator to the oven and bake until puffed and golden, 16-18m. Let cool slightly then serve.

Store it - Wrap the cooled chicken pockets in aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month. thaw in refrigerator and re-heat in oven.

Recipe from - The Baby & Toddler Cookbook section 12-18m