I love orechiette pasta—translating from Italian into English as ‘little ears,’ this pasta shape is like a little bucket that effortlessly traps in the simplest of sauces to the meatiest of sauces.  This simple dish starts with al dente orechiette, cubes of crispy bacon, tender black-eyed peas, wilted spinach, and roasted cherry tomatoes.  All of those yummy ingredients plus the taste of quality olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and salty Parmesan cheese.  It is certainly hard to pass up this unique bowl of pasta.

(To view this recipe, click on the following link: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/orecchiette-with-bacon-black-eyed-peas-and-spinach)

Tagged: bacon, balsamic vinegar, black eyed peas, Food & Wine, orecchiette, pancetta, pasta, spinach, tomatoes