Pappardelle with Cos Lettuce, Peas and Prosciutto

 Pappardelle seems to be back in vogue again, and it's unusual that it's current reputation as an elegant pasta is quite converse to it's rustic appeal a decade or so ago. Also in vogue is the cooking of lettuce, which provides a taste almost like a mustardy spinach, to a dish. So i suppose this dish is very much a 'fad' dish; but that's not to say that at the same time it's not very very tasty.

As i couldn't find fresh pappardelle at the market i purchased fresh Lasagne sheets and cut them into 3cm thick ribbons which provides the same end result. Also, if you don't have a reputable grocer, don't use fresh peas: the frozen ones will be better, and cost a 10th of the price.

Rosemary & Garlic Lamb Rack on a bed of Mashed Peas

If you want to easily impress someone for a meal, the lamb rack is a pretty good option to go for. Succulent medallions of lamb with just the right amount of fat attached to almost decorative frenched bones always make me salivate.  I much prefer to buy lamb cutlets on the rack so that i can roast them; pan frying them leaves me feeling that they're a little too oily. The best time to cook this dish would be spring, when both the lamb and the peas will be at their best.