Tortellini for My Bambinis

Denise Gianatasio is a Northport 
Village resident and freelance writer. 
She is a licensed agent at Signature 
Premier Properties, 172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise 
enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to
inspire a warm sense of home with 
her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at  
dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

It’s Birthday time for both my boys… and once again they are requesting their favorite birthday meal~ Meat filled tortellini with… Mom’s delicious combination sauce ~ A blending of both an Alfredo sauce and a carbonara sauce with green peas for a combo Birthday celebration. A creamy, cheesy mouth watering recipe~fit for….my beautiful SONS!
    My Christmas boys! Blessed with them~both born at Christmastime.  It takes special planning to work through the holidays and schedules for these birthday celebrations.. sometimes earlier…sometimes later…but never forgotten.
     Acccording to Italian history~ Alfredo di Lello a restaurant owner in Rome invented the classic butter and cream sauce in 1914 for his then pregnant wife who had lost her appetite during pregnancy (hmm…never happened to me?)  Alfredo boiled up some egg noodles and whipped up cheese, cream, and butter which they say~ delighted his wife. I make this sauce with variations similar to that of carbonara. (Carbon~ meaning~ black pepper) fresh chopped parsley, bacon bits, or diced ham or pancetta. Add a bag of petite tender frozen peas. I say, “ This delights my boys.” The butter, cream and grated cheese melts, thickens and emulsifies the liquid to form a smooth decadent sauce. You may use any pasta you desire but my guys love this with tortellini.   I hope you too enjoy my variation on the combo of these two sauces. Be creative, try sliced mushrooms, pancetta or eggs~ if you will. Embellish with a fresh green salad, some crusty bread and a glass of white wine. Then toast with me….Happy! Happy! Birthday!!!  To both of my fantastic Sons    I Love you!   Mom xo

3 lbs of meat filled tortellini 
   (can use cheese filled)
1 qt heavy cream
1 ½ cups grated pecorino romano cheese
¾ cup butter
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 vidalia onion diced fine
¾ lb of ham diced into tiny cubes
8 strips cooked bacon~ cut into pieces
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
½ t ground nutmeg
Lots of fresh ground pepper
Salt if needed
½ to 1 bag of frozen petite green peas
Extra grated cheese for garnish

Boil tortellini in salted boiling water for a bit less than package directions, leaving them slightly aldente. In a saucepan sauté onion in olive oil until soft and golden. Add butter, lower heat and melt, add diced ham and or cooked bacon pieces. Add cream slowly, whisking slightly, add grated cheese and continue to mix. Add fresh herbs and spices. Add peas and cook for 5 for minutes. Be careful not to bring sauce to a boil. Now mix together with tortellini and serve hot.