Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Rosemary Leek Pasta

















"R" is for Rosemary!  I love the herb rosemary, how about you?  The original recipe came from a newspaper food section.  Where I used to work, we received the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Sacramento Bee; the newspapers had great food sections in those days.  I have long lost the recipe for this pasta and this is my version.  I hope you will try this recipe; it is really simple to make and yummy to eat!

When I first started making this I lived in California, and even in winter, when I needed fresh rosemary I would run to the parking lot of my church and snip some off the bushes.  I guess I didn't ever think about whether the rosemary had been fertilized or not!  Now, during the summers I have my own fresh rosemary. 















If you are unfamiliar with leeks, click HERE for a fun article on leeks and cleaning them by David Lebovitz.  He mentions that the French use leeks frequently in their cooking.  I also love leeks!  By the way, the leeks I have used are never as dirty as he shows in the article.  Don't skip using the feta; it is just what is needed in this pasta.  I also think this would be a great, minus the broth, pizza topping!

Rosemary Leek Pasta Recipe:
1 (13.25 ounce) package of whole wheat pasta
3-4 nice sized leeks, cleaned and chopped into small pieces.  Do not use the dark green, tough part of the leek.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Rosemary leaves from four (1 to 1-1/2 inch) pieces
1 (14 ounce) can of vegetable broth
2 teaspoons corn starch
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Salt to taste 

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Put cleaned, chopped leeks and olive oil and butter in a large skillet.  Cook for about 10 minutes until leeks are soft, but not browned.  Add vegetable broth and simmer for a few minutes.  Then add corn starch to thicken and add rosemary leaves.  Season with salt and pepper.  Put 1/4 of pasta on dinner plate with 1/4 of leek mixture.  Top each dinner plate with 2 tablespoons of feta cheese and 2 tablespoons of walnut.  Note:  If you are a huge fan of rosemary, you may add more.  If you are not a fan, use less rosemary.  Serves four.

















I am posting this with Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday where the letter of the week is "R."  Come stop by to see interesting and funny posts!

Jenny Matlock

I am also posting this with Mama Bird's Whatcha Got Cooking Wednesday.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

This sounds wonderful! Would love you to link up to my Whatcha Cooking Wednesday!!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Joni, This is the perfect recipe for me! I am standing up giving you a salute, and now an ovation! I am changing my meny and making this tomorrow! Oh, yummy!
Thanks for what I am sure will be one of my very favorite recipes!
Yvonne

Marigene said...

Joni, this is the type of recipe I love...quick, easy and delicious! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I don't have many recipes for leeks and this one sounds GREAT!!! with the addition of rosemary.
Geri

Annesphamily said...

I don't have many leek recipes but they are such a great source of vitamins and such! I appreciate the recipe! Thanks

Anonymous said...

This looks great! I love all pasta!

Christy said...

I just discovered leeks this year - so yummy! I can't wait to try this!

jen said...

I have a red couch that does not inspire cooking. Maybe this will motivate me. We have rosemary growing uncontrollably in the front yard. I'm headed for my scissors. Thanks for a recipe to try.

Jo said...

oh i love leeks! so yummy!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Wow, I've never had this!!! It looks scrumptious!!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Sounds so yummy! I want to try the leek, which I've not yet eaten before. Thanks for the recipe.

Mary said...

Hi Joni,
Wow that looks yummy. I will have to put this recipe on the list to try!

Viki said...

I don't think I've ever had leeks. I'm not a very adventurous eater LOL. Sounds interesting though.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Looks really yummy, but I must admit I've never eaten Leeks before. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Have a great day!

Sherrie
A View of My Life
http://splummer-aviewofmylife.blogspot.com/2010/05/alphabe-thursday.html

Unknown said...

I am so hungry...looks great...

mine is here
wanna try my meme, Weekend Funnies ?
Happy Thursday!
hugs
shakira

laterg8r said...

super yummy - can i come live with you LOL :D

Unknown said...

OH MY! My mouth is watering..and so close to lunchtime!

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

That recipe has all of my favorite things. Yum. I grew rosemary on my windowsill for a while. Its leaves are little sticky, and it always had cat hair stuck to it!

One Photo said...

Sounds wonderful! I love rosemary, can't beat it with lamb.

Tina said...

I love rosemary too! Can't wait to try this one. Thanks for sharing.

Natasha in Oz said...

Delicious! You always post the yummiest recipes-thank you!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Vicki/Jake said...

Wow, I love both Pasta and Rosemary so thanks for a great R post...I live in UT too so I think I better be your newest follower (o:

Brenda said...

Love Rosemary thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

it looks good...I love rosemary with chicken..yummmm it is easy to grow too....

Jenny said...

Joni, this sounds amazing. I have leeks in the garden and rosemary outside the door so this is on the roster to try!

Thanks for a delicious and creative stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "R"!

Wow!

A+

Engageya