Pasta, Goat Cheese, and Ham

By tlshinnick

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup ham -- diced (or bacon)
• 1 clove garlic -- minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz goat cheese
• 1/4 cup onion -- finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup roasted red peppers -- diced
• fresh ground pepper
• salt
• 12 oz bow tie pasta
• 1 cup parmesan cheese -- grated
• 4 cups raw spinach -- coarsely chopped

Preparation

Step 1

In large skillet, saute ham in olive oil over medium heat until it begins
to brown. Add diced onion and saute about two more minutes. Add garlic
and cook one minute more, stirring constantly so nothing burns. Let cool
about 10 minutes. Then add the goat cheese, red pepper flakes, and
roasted red peppers and stir together. Add the cream and half of the
parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta,
reserving 3 tablespoons of the pasta water. Toss the hot pasta, the
reserved water, and the spinach with the sauce. Place on a platter or in
a large pasta bowl and sprinkle remaining parmesan on top. Serve
immediately.


NOTES : Serves 6-8 as a salad course or 4-6 as a main dish.

Wonderful with a Sauvignon Blanc!