PASTA WITH FAVA BEANS AND HERBED RICOTTA

2 cups shelled fava beans

2 teaspoons fresh mint, minced

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced

1 1/2 teaspoon fresh basil, minced

2 tablespoons spring garlic, minced

juice from 1 small lemon, to taste

2-3 tablespoons herbed ricotta mix (recipe below)

1/3 box fettuccine

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, to taste

1-2 slices prosciutto, torn into bite size pieces

1 tablespoon toasted breadcrumbs

Heat a large pot of water to boil. This water will be used for both the fava beans and cooking the pasta, so it needs to be big enough for both.

Shell the fava beans. The very best way to do this is to get any small children in to help that might think this will be fun. Pop the beans into the boiling water for a couple minutes and pull them out. Let sit until cool enough to handle while you prep the herbs.

Peel the outer covering of the fava beans to reveal beautiful bright green little fava beans. Set aside. Combine the prepped herbs together including the salt. Reheat the "fava bean" water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook it according to the box directions while you make the Herbed Ricotta Cheese Mix. Drain the pasta.

Heat a saute pan with a little olive oil and saute the herbs for 1-2 minutes until aromatic, and add the favas. Toss together and add the lemon juice and additional olive oil if necessary. Turn off the heat and add the pasta and toss together in the saute pan. Toss in the torn prosciutto pieces and top with the breadcrumbs.

Herbed Ricotta Cheese Mix

1/2 cup ricotta cheese, well drained

2 tablespoons Asiago or Pecorino cheese, grated

2 tablespoons Fontina cheese, grated

1 bulb spring garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh mint minced

Pinch salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use. This recipe makes more than you'll need for the pasta, so just refrigerate the rest for other uses. You'll be surprised the number of uses you'll come up with!

Food 52

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