“The Covered Dish” Shares Simply Delicious Recipes

My husband once told me that if he’s not playing a round of golf, he’d just as soon be watching the professionals play. I wondered if I’d ever find anything I was that passionate about, but that was before I acknowledged the obvious…

You see, I began cooking from the time I was old enough to scoot a stool in front of the stove. I scrambled eggs as my mom cooked up a hearty breakfast for my dad and his friends on the opening day of hunting season. I learned to fry a hamburger before I entered kindergarten. I earned a blue ribbon as a first-year 4-Her member with the chocolate chip muffins I exhibited at the county fair.

No wonder I felt an immediate connection to Debbie Dance Uhrig, the Master Craftsman who teaches at Silver Dollar City’s Midwest Living® Culinary & Craft School. Debbie writes in the forward to her Simply Yours cookbook:

“I began cooking from the time I could handle a spoon and stir. Throughout my life, I was taught to preserve foods, cook in ample amounts and to be prepared for extra folks at the table or surprise guests.”

That’s the same philosophy my mom instilled within me! No wonder my mom and I greatly enjoyed watching the professional demonstrate cooking during the Farm to Table cooking class we took last Saturday. We learned to make Midwest Living’s Garden Pasta Primavera and a Quick Red Pepper Pasta Sauce, one of Debbie’s original creations.

My 14-year-old daughter, who also attended the culinary class, enjoyed this pasta sauce so much that she asked if we could make it at home this week. (Side bar: Debbie mentioned this pasta would make a great side dish for grilled meats, so I’m planning to serve it with marinated grilled steaks. After all, our #31DaysofBeef celebration continues throughout the month of May.)

The fanciest part of each recipe that Debbie demonstrated is the title! While the list of ingredients for the primavera may look intimidating at first, the recipe itself it quite simple to follow. Debbie believes in presenting recipes that call for common ingredients and a simple understanding for cooking. (This sounds exactly like the recipes we feature on TheFieldPosition! As Debbie says, “Why overwhelm people with more elaborate dishes that might prevent them from going through the effort?”)

Like Debbie, I believe in reconnecting with family and friends around the dining room table. Today I’m sharing both of the pasta recipes she demonstrated. Also be sure to check out Debbie’s website, The Covered Dish, for more down-home Midwestern recipes.

P.S. Our long weekend getaway to Branson, Missouri, was the latest road trip taken in celebration of my mom’s birthday. Last year we traveled to Seed Savers Exchange, and in 2013, we took a pie baking class inside the American Gothic House. What culinary adventures have you enjoyed? I need ideas for our May 2016 road trip!

Garden Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

• 6 ounces fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces (2 cups)
• ½ cup carrots, bias sliced
• 6 ounces fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inches pieces (1½ cups)
• 1 cup broccoli or cauliflower flowerets
• 12 oz. dried fettuccine, linguine, vermicelli or spaghetti
• 1 small red and/or yellow sweet pepper, cut into julienne strips
• 1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced (1 cup)
• 1 small Vidalia onion, cut into wedges
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¾ cup chicken broth (sodium free)
• ¾ cup whipping cream (look for highest fat content)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ c. block Parmesan cheese, then shred it finely
• 2 ounces prosciutto, cooked ham or chicken (personally, I’d add more)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil, crushed
• ½ c. finely shredded Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, cook the beans and carrots in small amount of boiling water for 5 minutes. Add zucchini, asparagus, broccoli or cauliflower and return to boil.
2. Reduce heat, cover and cook 5 minutes more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Drain, saving water to cook spaghetti.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce in a medium sauce pan. Cook onion and garlic in hot butter over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender but not brown. Stir in chicken broth. Bring to boil and reduce heat.
5. In a small bowl, stir together whipping cream and flour. Add the cream mixture to saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
6. Stir in the ½ cup Parmesan cheese, prosciutto or cooked ham. (NOTE: Heat meat before adding to mixture.) Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Pour sauce over pasta and vegetables; toss gently to coat.
7. Arrange pasta mixture on a large serving platter.
8. Sprinkle with additional fresh Parmesan and garnish with basil sprigs if desired.

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Notes

COOK’S TIP: Prepare vegetables night before and entertain with ease! This dish makes 6 main-dish servings.