Tagliatelle with Fresh Peas, Bacon and Tarragon
Fresh tagliatelle tossed with crispy bacon, sweet peas, and spring onions in a light vermouth and creme fraiche sauce, finished with tender Little Gem lettuce and tarragon. A quick, elegant weeknight pasta that balances richness with bright green vegetables.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz lardon or chopped baconpancetta1:1pork
similar cured pork
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 4 tbsp extra-dry vermouthdry white wine1:1alcohol
similar acidity and flavor
- 7 oz fresh tagliatelledried tagliatelle1:0.67pasta
adjust cooking time per package
- 7 ½ oz fresh podded peas
- 1 tsp chicken stock concentrate
- 4 tbsp creme fraiche
- 1 tbsp chopped tarragon
- 1 whole Little Gem lettuce, cut into wedges
- 4 whole green onions, sliced at an angle into long shreds
Instructions
- 1
Fry the bacon in oil in a large deep frying pan for 1 minute.
- 2
Pour in the vermouth and allow to bubble up.
- 3
Meanwhile, boil a large pan of salted water and cook the fresh tagliatelle according to pack instructions.
- 4
Tip the peas into the bacon pan, then add water, stock concentrate, and creme fraiche.
- 5
Stir well, then add the tarragon, lettuce wedges, and green onions.
- 6
Cover and cook until the lettuce is tender but not wilted.
- 7
Drain the cooked pasta and add to the pan, tossing until well combined.
Tips
Cook the pasta according to pack instructions for best texture as cooking times vary by brand.
Watch the lettuce carefully during the final cooking stage to achieve tender but not wilted results.
Add the pasta to the sauce pan while still slightly wet to help distribute the sauce evenly.
Good to Know
Best enjoyed immediately. Refrigerate leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 1 day; reheat gently with a splash of water.
Fry the bacon and prepare all vegetables up to 2 hours ahead; store separately. Cook pasta and assemble just before serving.
Serve immediately in warm bowls while the lettuce is still tender and the sauce clings to the pasta.
Common Mistakes
Do not cook the lettuce beyond 5 minutes to avoid it becoming limp and mushy.
Do not skip the salted water for pasta to avoid bland noodles.
Do not add cold ingredients to the hot pan to avoid seizing the creme fraiche.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
adjust cooking time per package