Pasta with Ham, Peas, and Cream

Now that he's such a big boy, I've been pureeing everything in sight to see if our little guy will eat it. The latest experiment: peas. Since I heart peas, I'm happy to report that our son is indeed a happy little pea eater.

Meanwhile, my hubby continues to pick around peas whenever he encounters them. It's at the point where I'll make a dish like this pasta, but put the peas in a separate bowl just for me and mix them on my plate to please my man. I know, I'm spoiling him. But marriage is about compromises, right? Did I mention he cared for our child, cleaned the house, and washed all the dishes today...and looked mighty fine while doing it?

Sure, he may have been looking to gain a few brownie points since this weekend is the much-anticipated Deer Opener, an unofficial state holiday in ND. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, is off to the fields to chase Bambi this weekend. Even our daycare provider asked for Friday off to go get their annual supply of venison. I usually get a little bummed out this weekend, with everyone gone and the dreariness of winter starting to close in - but I think the little man and I will have some serious bonding time this weekend. And we both get to eat all the peas we want.

Pasta with Ham, Peas, and Cream

A quicky but a goodie, this meal can be on the table in 15 minutes, start to finish. I made my own pasta sauce earlier this year and stored it in the freezer, but feel free to use whatever you may have on hand. If you really like tomato flavor, add a little tomato paste to the mix.

12 oz. pasta ribbons

2 cups tomato pasta sauce or one 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes with 1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 cup chopped ham

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup whipping cream

Grated parmesean as garnish

Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente; drain. Meanwhile, heat pasta sauce, ham, and peas in separate saucepan. Toss pasta sauce with drained hot pasta, pour cream over, stir and serve with grated parmesean.