lemon parma ham and asparagus penne

i rarely make creamy sauces to accompany pasta but all the rain that we’ve been having has demanded comfort food and the addition of cream to something is an easy way to do this.

this penne dish offers the comfort of a rich creamy sauce but the summery flavours of lemon and asparagus remind you that sunshine will return at some point soon. not soon enough is all i can say: as i sit typing this, the rain is pouring down and thunder and lightning add excitement over london town.

this dish is my contribution to presto pasta nights, as hosted by ruth at once upon a feast.

lemony parma ham and asparagus penne (serves 2)

10-12 spears of asparagus

penne for two

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

150ml double cream

zest of 1 lemon

8 slices parma ham, torn into bite size pieces

parmesan shavings

boil the asparagus for 5 minutes until just cooked. remove from the boiling water and leave to cool. add the penne to the water and cook until al dente.

meanwhile, heat the olive oil and gently fry the garlic until it softens and you can smell it. add the cream and lemon zest, turn the heat off and leave to infuse.

cut the cooked asparagus into bite size pieces and add to the lemony cream.

when the penne is ready, drain it and stir into the asparagus and cream mix. add the parma ham and serve with the parmesan.