Two servings

Be careful what you ask for! This recipe is for all the people who are looking for a boyfriend or a girlfriend. I am continually asked what a person can cook to impress a date. Well, look no further. This recipe is wonderful. It is definitely one of my favorite pastas. It has quite a few incredible ingredients. You are only going to have to make this once and the hook will be set, so don’t try to take shortcuts and break the line by substituting ingredients. This is the big one!

Ingredients
2 ounces San Daniele pancetta, 1/4-inch diced
2 ounces finely diced red onion
1 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry pepper
2 ounces Pompeian extra virgin olive oil
1 large, fresh, finely chopped garlic clove
1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
2 tablespoons lightly salted butter
6 ounces dry penne pasta
2 ounces frozen peas
2 tablespoons fresh, chiffonade basil
1 tablespoon fresh, thinly sliced chives
1 tablespoon fresh, thinly sliced garlic chives
1 fresh, thinly sliced scallion
2 ounces Papillon Roquefort (a blue cheese)
1 ounce Gorgonzola or Valdeon (a blue cheese)
As needed, ruffled purple basil (for garnish)

Procedure
In a 350 degree F skillet, lightly brown the pancetta. Add the onions and black pepper until the onions are light brown. Remove from the pan and hold on the side.
In a 325 degree F skillet, lightly brown the garlic in the olive oil. Add the pepper flakes and butter. As soon as the butter is melted, remove from the heat and hold it on the side.
It is important to have the skillet at the proper temperature when you are cooking these ingredients. If the oil is too hot, it will very quickly burn the garlic on the outside, making the dish bitter. If the skillet is too cold, the onions may not brown before getting mushy. I normally use a laser gun to check the temperature that I “borrowed” from the race team. I use one all the time for a number of reasons. You can make this recipe without one, of course. But if you would like to check one out, click here.
Boil penne in lightly salted boiling water until desired doneness. When you think that the pasta has about two minutes left to cook, add the frozen peas to the boiling water.
Drain the pasta and peas. Put them back in the pan and add all of the ingredients except the purple basil. Stir together until well mixed.

Enjoy! You owe me one!