British asparagus season is in full swing!
I’ve been craving the combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese in every form this week, which is unusual for me. Strong, salty flavours are vying for my attention, as well as the sourness of beetroot and pickled cucumbers. Still, at 37 weeks pregnant, it could be worse and at least my sweet tooth has been calmed. I’ve also been eating plenty of fresh, British asparagus, as it’s in season now in the UK, with some of the best spears coming from the counties of Lincolnshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The Vale of Evesham is also renowned for its asparagus, with the British Asparagus Festival 2014 running between 23rd April and 21st June. This pasta dish of asparagus, smoked salmon and cream cheese is very quick to make with just a few ingredients. I’ve used small penne tubes, though any small pasta shapes work well with this almost-instant cream cheese sauce.
Asparagus, Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Pasta
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 2
British asparagus spears, paired with smoked salmon in a simple and quick cream cheese sauce with penne
Ingredients
- 250g/ one cup dried Penne pasta, or other small shapes
- One bunch/one cup fresh asparagus, chopped into one inch pieces
- 200g/ 3/4 cup cream cheese, regular or light
- A glug of olive oil
- 120g (one small packet) smoked salmon
- Fresh dill to garnish
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Once boiling, add in the pasta shapes and cook for 8 minutes, or according to the packet instructions.
- Two minutes before the end of cooking time, add the chopped asparagus to the water. Take out one cup of pasta water for the sauce. After two minutes, drain the pasta and asparagus.
- Add the cup of pasta water back into the same pan, stir in the cream cheese and a glug of olive oil, season with sea salt and pepper. Add in the cooked pasta and asparagus.
- Stir through the chopped smoked salmon, leaving a few pieces to garnish the top. Sprinkle over the fresh dill and serve immediately.
Courses Main
Cuisine Italian
I’m entering this dish into a few blog event challenges this month. Firstly, to Pasta Please! created by Jac of Tinned Tomatoes and this month hosted by Nazima at Franglais Kitchen with a theme of pasta sauces.
Next, the post goes on to Four Seasons Food, celebrating all things spring. This event is jointly hosted by Louisa at Eat Your Veg and Anneli at Delicieux.
And finally, to my own Simple and in Season Spring, open here.
More asparagus recipes to try
British Asparagus and Westcombe Cheddar Tart for JamieOliver.com
British Asparagus, Spinach, Halloumi and Beetroot Salad
Fresh Pasta with Asparagus, Goat’s Cheese and Lemon
Have you been enjoying any seasonal asparagus in simple, family meals?
Next week it’s National Vegetarian Week so look out for plenty of veg-packed recipes!
Fiver Feeds says
It looks amazing!!! I never thought of using this combination of ingredients but after reading this recipe it is something I simply must try!
Nazima says
this is a wonderful idea Ren – I love quick pasta dishes like this. Perfect fodder for your growing baby too. Looking forward to some baby pics in the near future 🙂
Ren Behan says
Thanks Nazima – yes won’t be long now!
Miss. Lucinda Fountain says
Sounds delicious!!!
Ren Behan says
Thanks Lucinda!
Katie Bryson says
What a hugely comforting dish – yum! Reckon my boys might like this… i’d have to go light on the cream cheese and use wholewheat pasta for my weight watchers plan, but it’s a very inspiring recipe!
Ren Behan says
I think it would work with the WW plan, as you say, wholewheat pasta and then very low fat cream cheese – perfecto! Maybe poached salmon instead of smoked?!
Jan Bennett says
Oooh now this looks seriously good! Love the creamy sauce which goes perfectly with salmon and pasta. A perfect dish for the lovely weather we have at the moment.
Ren Behan says
Thanks Jan, yes it’s lovely and light and Springy!
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
You are so close now Ren, when I was pregnant with no.3 I wanted loads of creamy dairy foods. I didn’t mind sweet or savoury but there happened to be lots of carbs enjoyed and demolished! I love this recipe, so delicate yet packed full of flavour. Heavenly pasta dish and I have all the ingredients to hand 🙂
Ren Behan says
Two weeks to go! My taste buds have definitely gone savoury at the moment!
Sylvia says
It looks super delicious! I’m not a big fan of asparagus, maybe because I never had them prepapred nicely 🙂
Ren Behan says
Wow I hope you try this then Sylvia, I think you’ll like the dill 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This looks amazing. I often make pasta, cream cheese, smoked salmon and peas, but I am going to add some aspargus to in next time. Yum!
Ren Behan says
Thank Danni, yes especially when in season, you can’t beat it.
Fish Fingers for tea says
This looks delicious Ren! It’s my kind of pasta, quick and tasty. I still have to convince Rich and Izzy on the merits of smoked salmon but I would happily eat it all day, along with asparagus which they also aren’t huge fans of. Shame, more for me!
Ren Behan says
My kids are ok with smoked salmon in pasta as it kind of cooks – so it’s less strong a flavour. Try it! x
A Trifle Rushed says
What a gorgeous supper, or weekday lunch, perfect for this time of year as there is no need to use the oven.
Take good care of yourself, I’m really looking forward to hearing all about the baby. Jude x
Ren Behan says
Thank you Jude, hope to see you very soon for baby cuddles and a coffee x