Monday, December 12, 2011

Pumpkin Alfredo - Secret Recipe Club

It's Secret Recipe Club time again! Last month, when I said it was my fourth month participating, I was wrong. It was my sixth month. WOW, I can't believe it was June when I started. I've met some great bloggers and cooked up some delicious recipes.

My first month, I was assigned the Hagis and the Herring and made their Crunchy Roasted Potatoes and Carrots. Month two was Creative Culinary and her beautiful Lavender Martini. August was month three and The Wednesday Baker's Wild Blueberry Muffins. September was fellow Omaha blogger Biking and Baking's, Rosemary Squash Soup. Just in time for football season, October brought me Sticky Chicken Wings from Lavender and Lime. November was a delicious holiday breakfast idea, Eggs en Cocette from Searching for Spice.

For December, our hostess Tina of Mom's Crazy Cooking suggested we find a holiday recipe to share. Having not tired of eating pumpkin, I was drawn to Pumpkin Alfredo from Veggie Converter. Kristi has amazing vegetarian and vegan recipes, most of which I found would be easy to change or convert if you aren't vegetarian. Although we aren't vegetarian, we try to eat at least one meatless meal a week. To lighten the recipe up a little, I decreased the butter and increased the milk. The pasta was still rich and creamy.

When Tim saw what I was making, he questioned the peas. I used the small canned peas. They added nice flavor and color to the dish. As I was putting the finishing touches on the dish, I was wishing I had some fresh sage to add. I think sage would add a nice finishing touch. We enjoyed this hearty pasta dish.



Pumpkin Alfredo

1 pound spaghetti noodles
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen

2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter (I used 1/2 stick)
4 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup milk (I used 1 cup of skim milk)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste


Directions
Boil spaghetti noodles according to package directions, add peas into the boiling water with 5-7 minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, brown garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add butter and cream cheese, allow to melt partially. Add pumpkin and stir. Mix cornstarch with a bit of the milk to create a slurry. Add slurry and remaining milk to pan. Cook a few more minutes, stirring regularly, until thickened. Add Italian seasoning and House seasoning, to taste.

If serving immediately, mix sauce with noodles and peas. If serving later, package noodles and peas separately from sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.


11 comments:

  1. Love anything Alfredo and this one is really looking great and with pumpkin; wow!
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  2. I always enjoy seeing what other people have made for Secret Recipe Club. This looks like a great recipe, and a new blog to check out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love seeing savory pumpkin dishes. That sounds simply scrumptious!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pumpkin Alfredo sounds interesting, Julie! I agree that something like this would be better with some fresh herbs. I appreciate your sense of adventure, especially at this busy time of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Julie,
    I just love your Pumpkin Alfredo, it looks so creamy and delicious. It is fun cooking with you at the SRC. Have a great week!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'll bet sage would have been wonderful on this pumpkin version of Alfredo. It sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I bet pumpkin gives a whole new taste to this classic pasta dish. First time at your blog, you have some beautiful recipes here!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pumpkin alfredo, fantastic!!!! I made a pumpkin mac and cheese this year, and wow, pumpkin and pasta are just a terrific pair!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pumpkin and pasta--who knew. I'll have to keep this one in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've seen so many pumpkin pasta dishes lately that just look amazing! Including your Pumpkin Alfredo!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks Julie! I got my dish at a place called Tai Pan Trading!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting on my blog!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.