Driving home in traffic for an hour definitely gives you time to think about how to be creative with dinner! Mac said he was making spaghetti. And quite frankly I wasn’t craving just any spaghetti. I love the man for trying, but sometimes a girl just needs to eat a bundle of creativeness!
The craving for lemon sauce, asparagus, and sweet peas in my pasta came to mind. I think the idea was sparked by something I saw on Pinterest the other day.
And the nice thing is… the sauce is super easy to make.
Now trying to catch the end of daylight for all these pictures was tough. Can you see the difference between prep and plate?
Sliced the canned asparagus spears in half. Cut the lemon in half. And drain the can of sweet peas. Of course, this is the semi-homemade version. Who has time to blanch and all that stuff when you’ve worked a full day?!
Drop 2 Tablespoons of butter in the pan on medium heat.
Melt and Swirl.
Add two tablespoons of flour and mix to make your white Roux (Rooooooo).
And… darn it. If you are like me and forgot to buy the rich cream… add a cup of milk.
Mac was my hand model for this pic and now thinks he is famous. 
Give a few good grinds of cracked pepper.
Add white cooking wine. This particular brand already has the salt in it. If you use regular white wine, just add salt, to taste.
Pour half the lemon juice. Taste. I love a really lemony taste. So I pour in all of the juice.
Add some fresh parsley.
Throw in desired amount of asparagus & sweet peas and mix. Serve on hot pasta.
And when you plate the spaghetti, serve it with a delicious herb salad topped with Gruyère and fresh strawberries. Oh yes, don’t forget the garlic bread. Recipe for the Pasta with Lemon Sauce, Asparagus and Peas is below.
Dessert
I finally gave in to buying the little cups of ice cream. Especially, because they had the Starbuck’s Java Chip Frappuccino (it always takes me at least 2-3 times to correctly spell the ‘ppuccino’ in cappuccino or frappuccino). Anyone else have this problem?
And I ate it up with the little spoon Jennifer sent me in my Foodie PenPal package.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions.
- While cooking pasta, start sauce.
- Add butter to medium hot pan and melt. Add flour and whisk until mixed. Slowly add milk or cream. Continue mixing until incorporated.
- **Add more milk or cream if needed for thinning.
- Add the cracked pepper and white wine.
- OPTIONAL: Use a regular white wine. Then add salt, to taste.
- Then turn off heat. Add half the lemon juice. Taste. Add more, if needed. Throw in chopped parsley. Mix. Add in asparagus spears and peas. Mix.
- Serve over hot pasta!
About Christine McCarthy
and now you have me craving it. Its so fresh tasting! yet filling. Best of both worlds!
lindsay recently posted..Bueno and “Bulb”alicious
it was good. and it totally satisfied my creative craving.
Christine McCarthy recently posted..Gardening Essentials: Square Foot Gardening
I pinned this one for sure because I grow asparagus in my garden and love white sauce. I use a white sauce when I make mac & cheese for my boys, then bake it.
http://funandfit.org/2012/03/milk-doesnt-always-come-from-cows-product-review/
That is awesome. I read about a lady who remembers growing up and her dad would stop on the side of the road to pick the wild asparagus. I don’t even think I know what planted asparagus looks like. time to Google!
I make my mac and cheese that way, too. but my kids still like the total ucky boxed kind. *sigh*
Christine McCarthy recently posted..The Beach Sport Grill & Bar
Yum, yum, yum. I need to make this!
Samantha recently posted..Oh, Dairy…
I love lemon and lots of it! I thought using the juice of one lemon was ingenious. I might even be tempted to add the zest or more juice next time. Its super simple, too.
Christine McCarthy recently posted..Wishing Weekends Lasted Longer
i adore creamy pasta sauces – this one looks really great!
i don’t like asparagus by itself but lately i’ve been loving it IN things so this looks delish!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Sweet Potato Egg Boats
ok maybe I DO need to get into pinterest
Miz recently posted..We love our JumpSport trampoline!
it looks great and sound delicious , I will follow the guideline try it myself.
Wow, what an awesome recipe!
Healthiful Balance recently posted..Brain Fuel
Your dish looks amazing! Yum!!! I’m so glad you like your little spoon! I love them, there a perfect size!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..Grilled Potato Chips
it looks like the perfect meal, delicious and quick
beti recently posted..Nutella Kisses