2861. YOGURT PASTA with BACON and SNAP PEAS

serves 4-6


1 pound pasta (bow tie, penne or spiral pasta works great)
One 16-ounce package (454 grams) frozen sugar snap peas
2 teaspoons (10 ml) olive oil
4 slices (175 grams) thick-cut bacon
1 cup (247 grams) plain 2% (reduced fat) Greek yogurt
3/4 cup (84 grams) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (reserve before draining cooked pasta)
Juice of one lemon
Freshly chopped chives

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Set a timer for three minutes LESS than the cooking time suggested on the pasta box then add pasta. Once the timer goes off, add frozen sugar snap peas and cook until pasta is cooked (pasta should be firm, not hard). Reserve about 1/2 a cup of the boiling pasta water then drain pasta and snap peas. (The pasta water will be used later to help make the sauce).

Meanwhile, slice bacon into 1/4-inch pieces. Then, heat olive oil over medium heat then add bacon pieces and cook, stirring occasionally until the fat renders from the bacon, is bubbling and the bacon becomes crisp.

Depending on how much bacon fat has rendered, you might want to remove a tablespoon or two – just make sure about two tablespoons are left in the pan.

Remove pan from heat, and then add the drained pasta and snap peas. Spoon Greek yogurt, and the 3/4 cup of cheese on top. Pour about a 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water over the yogurt then use tongs or two spoons to toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add more pasta water. Finish the sauce by adding the juice of one lemon and season with a little salt and pepper then toss well.

To serve, transfer to bowls and serve topped with extra cheese and fresh chives (if desired).

If the pasta has cooled down too much, cook over low heat, tossing, until the sauce re-coats the pasta and then serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Adam and Joanne Gallagher, Inspired Taste, September 10, 2012