Pasta with Leeks and Green Peas
It's Spring/Summer and all I'm thinking about is bright and green recipes, like this pasta with leeks and green peas!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 cups shelled green peas we’re using fresh peas but you can also use frozen
- 1 pound pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves sliced
- 1 shallot thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 leek trimmed, washed and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 bundle basil
- 1/4 cup creme fraiche or mascarpone
- 1/4 cup parmesan and more for serving
- ½ cup pasta water
- Fresh lemon squeeze to serve optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water for your pasta.
- Start your pasta sauce. Boil a large pot of water or skillet and blanch your peas if they're frozen, cook your peas if they are fresh and once ready and a vibrant green, place in an ice bath and dry when cooled.
- In the same pot, pan or skillet as the peas, you’ll begin preparing your sauce. With a drizzle of olive oil on medium heat, heat the pot and toss in your chili flakes (optional), shallots, garlic, leeks, salt and pepper. Sweat out your aromatics for about 3-4 minutes.
- Blend your sauce. Next, add in your butter and melt that through, another 4-5 minutes. Transfer your leek mixture to a blender or food processor with your cooled peas, basil, salt, pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and your creme fraiche. Blend until smooth.
- Transfer to that same pot or large skillet you had your leek mixture and warm up. At this point, your pasta should be a little bit under al dente.
- Add in pasta. First, add in about 1/4th cup of pasta water to the mixture, then slowly drain and add in your pasta. Mix and stir until combined and add in your shredded parmesan cheese, adjusting as you go with cheese and pasta water. Finish seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve your pasta in a bowl and garnish with freshly cracked black pepper, a hint of fresh lemon juice/lemon zest is optional and fresh basil.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 508IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 1mg