Smoked Salmon and Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta with Pesto

Allison, my lovely redheaded daughter, and I were doing a little shopping last week in Seattle at the
large downtown Goodwill on Denny Way.  We were cracking each other up singing Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis' song "Thrift Shop", while scooping up some treasures...

I admit it; I have a "dish" addiction. Spotted these, and just had to have them. Fun little pasta dishes with seafood motif - perfect for a recipe that I have been saving for an easy weeknight dinner.

Truly, I am all about making recipes that are really good, but adding a few short cuts - like prepared pesto. My kitchen is too tiny to include a food processor to make homemade pesto, consequently I do rely on Trader Joe's little jar of deliciousness to make some fabulous dinners.

This smoked salmon pasta was a winner!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. lemon-pepper pappardelle pasta (Trader Joe's - but could also use plain pappardelle pasta)
• 1 cup frozen petite peas
• 8-10 oz. smoked salmon - flaked into small pieces
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 oz. whipped cream cheese
• 1/2 cup prepared pesto 
• 2 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions.  During the last minute of cooking, add peas; drain.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add cream. Simmer 3 minutes or until cream is slightly thickened.  Reduce heat to medium-low and add cream cheese and pesto, whisking until smooth.  Stir in pasta and peas; cook 1 minute tossing all together until the pasta is completely coated with the pesto sauce.  Remove from heat, gently stir in salmon, lemon zest, lemon juice.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  

3. Dish into pasta bowls - finish with a pinch of sea salt for extra yumminess!  Serve with a fresh salad and a great glass of wine to have an easy weeknight celebration. 

The lemon pepper pasta just gives this an extra special lemony taste - perfect compliment to salmon.  Enjoy!

In case you are wondering about the Fish Flatware - Here's click here for more info.

*Recipe adapted from Coastal Living Magazine

P.S. The Thrift Shop Song!