Penne with a basic Alfredo sauce for the kids can be easily dressed up with smoked trout or salmon for the grown-ups, resulting in a savory blend sophisticated enough to serve to company.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried penne
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of nutmeg (freshly ground, if available)
- Black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 to 1 1/2 smoked trout or salmon fillets, boned and flaked
Instructions
- Boil the penne according to the directions on the package and, in the last minute of boiling, add the frozen peas. While the pasta cooks, begin preparing the Alfredo sauce. Strain the cooked penne and peas -- if they're ready before the sauce, toss them back into the pot with an extra 2 tablespoons of butter, stir, and keep them warm.
- In a medium pot, bring the butter and cream to a boil and immediately lower the heat so that the mixture gently simmers. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes or until it leaves a thick coating on the spoon. Stir in the grated cheese, salt, and nutmeg.
- Dish out the kids' penne and peas and top it with Alfredo sauce. Serve it or keep it warm. If your kids usually go for seconds, reserve some extra penne and plain sauce on the side.
- To the remaining sauce, add a few twists of black pepper, the smoked fish, and the rest of the penne and peas. Toss gently to coat. Serves 2 adults and 2 kids.
