Pasta with Ham and Peas

Total time: 25 minutes
   This is such a colorful pasta dish it makes me happy just looking at it.  Using frozen peas and deli ham has this is ready faster than you can cook the pasta. A bit of creamy goat cheese brings it all together.

 Ingredients:

• 10oz (300gr) ham
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 onion
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 1/2 cup peas
• 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) chicken stock
• 2.5 - 3 oz creamy goat cheese   a bit more than 1/2 container Chavrie or Chevraux
• 1 tbs Dijon-style mustard
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1oz (30gr) shredded cheese
• 1 cup dried pasta, - penne, rigatoni

 Instructions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.  Cook pasta a minute less than usual and let it finish in the sauce.
• Roughly chop onion and pepper.  
• Cut ham into bite-size pieces. 
• Heat oil in large skillet.  Add onion and pepper and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. 
• Add ham, paprika and sauté 5 minutes longer. 
• Add chicken stock, thyme, mustard and stir to combine. 
• Add peas, cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 5 minutes. 
• Add goat cheese and stir until melted and combined. 
• Add pasta and stir to coat. 
• Sprinkle with cheese and serve.