Creamy Fettuccine with Asparagus

By markemilw

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons grainy mustard
• 4 ounces creamy goat cheese log, broken into pieces
• 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and cut crosswise into thirds
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill leaves
• 3/4 pound fettuccine (or other thick-stranded pasta)

Preparation

Step 1

In a small skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts, stirring often, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until al dente, according to package instructions, adding asparagus during last 5 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water; drain.

Return pasta, asparagus, and reserved pasta water to the pot. Toss with goat cheese, mustard, dill, and toasted pine nuts. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.