Asparagus and Beef over Fettuccine

There is an old Roman adage that says the more you spend, the worse you eat, and I believe it wholeheartedly. The most delicious, hearty, soul-satisfying meals can be made with a few simple, humble ingredients. Italians call it cucina povera, and it's the type of food you might find in farmhouses and tiny trattorias rather than in touristy restaurants.

It employs simple cooking methods, seasonal ingredients and a small range of ingredients at a time so that even the most novice cook can turn out delicious results. This recipe is in the spirit of cucina povera - four ingredients, a pot and a pan, that's all you'll need.

The first ingredient, and the star in my opinion, is asparagus. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. After snapping the woody ends off the asparagus, cut them into two inch sections and blanch them in the water for two minutes. Time it. Then immediately remove them with a slotted spoon (reserve the water in the pot) and rinse in cold water. This stops the cooking process and locks in the green color.

The next ingredient is the pasta. Bring the water in the pot back to a rolling boil and add your pasta. In the spirit of cucuna povera it should be whatever you have on hand, fettuccine in my case.

The next note in this chord is the beef. I used a steak, top sirloin if memory serves, because I got it on the cheap from the grocer. Any cut will work, however. Lightly salt and pepper the steak on both sides then sear over high heat in a large saute pan with a bit of olive oil, a few minutes on each side or until a lovely deep golden brown color. Remove the steak from the heat and let cool slightly before cutting into strips.

Turn the pan to medium, and it's time to bring it all together. Drop the asparagus into the pan along with the last ingredient, the zest and juice from one lemon. I added a bit of chopped garlic at this point, as well - an optional seasoning in this dish, more than an ingredient in its own right. Let it heat through, then add the steak back in. By now the pasta should be just shy of al dente; strain and add to the pan as well. Stir and let the pasta finish cooking for a few minutes, then plate and serve.

There it is, four simple, fresh ingredients combine to create a delicious and satisfying meal. Enjoy!