Southern Recipe: Mint Pea Pasta

Mint Pea Pasta / Photo: Amber Wilson

Author of widely popular food blog “For the Love of the South,” Amber Wilson, shares her perfect springtime dish.

Amber Wilson—who identifies as an author, wife and mother, and “professional eater”—is a Southern food writer and owner of the successful blog, “For the Love of the South.” Wilson’s Instagram account boasts over 160,000 followers who enjoy an elegant curation of plated recipes, all Southern-inspired. Her success is built on love; having turned down a job offer from NASA to pursue food, Wilson’s passion was evident and she was soon writing for The Southern Coterie, BonAppétit.com, Fox News, Zeit Magazine, Louisiana Cookin’ and more. From the Cajun flare of her hometown in Louisiana, to bold Texas flavors, to the lightness of fresh coastal seafood, each of Wilson’s recipes is a snapshot of the flavors of the South. South is excited to welcome Wilson back as a contributor to our publication to share her love for Southern cooking.

Elegance in a Bowl: Springtime is finally upon us, and I am celebrating its arrival with a warm bowl filled with larger than life pasta swimming in a shallow pool of tender sweet peas, smoky, crispy bacon, emerald green grassy mint, bright lemon, fiery chili for balance and a flourish of frilly Parmesan shavings on top. This is springtime in a bowl!

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces of pasta, cooked until al dente, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water 
• 2 slices bacon 
• 1/2 cup peas, fresh or frozen  
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• Pinch chili flakes 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, for serving 
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Parmesan cheese shavings, for serving  

Directions:

– In a skillet over medium high heat, cook bacon until golden brown and crisp and drain on a paper towel. Roughly tear into pieces once cool enough to handle. 

– Add shallot and chili flakes and lemon zest to the bacon fat, cook for 1 minute or until lightly golden. 

– Add the peas and the pasta water. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes.

– Add the cooked pasta and toss. Add mint, crumbled bacon, olive oil, lemon juice and finish each bowl with a flourish of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

For this and more amazing southern recipes, visit @ForTheLoveoftheSouth on Instagram or fortheloveofthesouth.com.

Amber Wilson

AMBER WILSON—who identifies as an author, wife and mother, and “professional eater”—is a Southern food writer and owner of the successful blog, “For the Love of the South.” Wilson’s Instagram account boasts over 160,000 followers who enjoy an elegant curation of plated recipes, all Southern-inspired. Her success is built on love; having turned down a job offer from NASA to pursue food, Wilson’s passion was evident and she was soon writing for The Southern Coterie, BonAppétit.com, Fox News, Zeit Magazine, Louisiana Cookin’ and more. From the Cajun flare of her hometown in Louisiana, to bold Texas flavors, to the lightness of fresh coastal seafood, each of Wilson’s recipes is a snapshot of the flavors of the South. South is excited to welcome Wilson back as a contributor to our publication to share her love for Southern cooking.

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