Fettuccine with Peas, Asparagus, and Pancetta

PREP 40 minutes TOTAL 40 minutes
4 SERVINGS Pancetta (Italian bacon) is available in the deli section of many markets.


12 ounces fettuccine or penne
3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped
1 1/4 pounds asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1 -inch pieces
2 cups shelled fresh green peas, blanched, or frozen peas (do not thaw)
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, white and pale green parts separated from dark green parts
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided

Cook pasta in pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
Meanwhile, cook pancetta in large nonstick over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon drippings from skillet. Add asparagus to drippings in skillet; saute 3 minutes. Add peas, white and pale green parts of green onions, add garlic; saute until vegetables are just tender, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Add vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, dark green parts of green onions, 1/2 cup Parmesan, cream, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, half of the parsley, and half of the basil to pasta. Toss, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle pancetta, remaining parsley, and basil over. Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Ingredients:
1 devil's food cake mix
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs

Mix the above ingredients together. Roll the dough into dime-sized balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool cookies.

FROSTING:

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 square butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 to 4 c. powdered sugar

Mix all of frosting ingredients until smooth. Frost BACKS of cookies and place together to make sandwich cookie.

Lemon Blossoms

Ingredients

• 18 1/2-ounce package yellow cake mix
• 3 1/2-ounce package instant lemon pudding mix
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 
  

Glaze:

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zested
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray miniature muffin tins with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs and oil and blend well with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour a small amount of batter, filling each muffin tin half way. Bake for 12 minutes. Turn out onto a tea towel

To make the glaze, sift the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest, oil, and 3 tablespoons water. Mix with a spoon until smooth.

With fingers, dip the cupcakes into the glaze while they're still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible, or spoon the glaze over the warm cupcakes, turning them to completely coat. Place on wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch any drips. Let the glaze set thoroughly, about 1 hour, before storing in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Peanut Butter Fingers

1 1/2 sticks butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup + 2 Tbs Brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
cream the above ingredients together and add

3/4 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 3/4 cups oatmeal

Blend well. Place on buttered cookie sheet with sides and press out evenly. Bake in 350 oven for 10 min. Do not over bake. Remove from oven and let cool to warm. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the top of the warm cookie dough. Make the following frosting and spread over the top.
1 stick butter
4 Tbsp cocoa
6 Tbsp water
Bring the above to a boil. Add 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar. beat until creamy. Add 1 Tbsp vanilla. Beat and pour over cookie dough. Spread to cover. Chill for a short while to help set up.