Pear and Leek Pasta

Intro: Pear and Leek Pasta

This is a great store cupboard meal, for when you need a quick after-work dinner.

Tinned pears are a fantastic thing to keep on hand, whether it be for breakfast, dinner or dessert.

STEP 1:

THE RECIPE:
Serves 2
Prep Time: 5-10 mins
Cooking Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:
- a small knob of butter (optional)
- oil, for cooking
- 1 medium leek, roughly sliced
- 1x 400g/14oz. tinned pears, roughly chopped into small chunks
- 80-100g (3-3½oz.) pasta - I'm using mini shells
- ½ tsp dried thyme, to taste
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 50g (¾ cup) fresh parmesan, grated

Substitutes:

- use 2 fresh pears instead!
- fresh thyme or tarragon is great too!
- use sharp, mature cheddar instead
- replace parmesan with "vegan-friendly Italian-style cheese" to make it vegan

Stir it up by adding any of the following:

- bacon or pancetta
- leftover chicken or turkey
- cannellini beans

STEP 2: Let's Begin...

Place a sauce/sauté pan over a low-medium heat.

Drizzle in some oil and melt in the butter (if using) before tipping in the leek and pear.

Season with salt and pepper, along with the thyme (or tarragon) and then gently cook.

STEP 3:

Meanwhile, add the pasta to a pan of boiling, salted water.

STEP 4:

A few minutes before the pasta is al dente, quickly scoop up some of the cooking liquid and then drain the pasta.

STEP 5:

Tip the pasta into the other pan containing the leek and pear - where the pasta will continue cooking.

Pour in some of the starchy pasta water (around 4-5 tablespoons) and then sprinkle in some grated parmesan.

Once the cheese has melted, toss or shake the pan (or stir like fury) to emulsify the sauce.

Serve immediately.

STEP 6:

Thanks for reading!

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Recipe by Leah Hawks
All photos by Tatiana Kolavskaya and Leah Hawks

Comments

[oakspoor]

I bet a little grated ginger would work well in this.

[LeahHawks (FoodNotions)]

Why not? Never had cheese and ginger together before but the more I think about it, the more enticing it sounds.

I'll give it a go next time I cook this.

Thanks for the comment. =D

[tinpie]

it looks fantastic...i will have try this, as i am a little skeptic about the pear and leek combo..but sounds delicious

[LeahHawks (FoodNotions)]

Hahaha - I was wondering when someone was going to bring that one up.

I like your attitude, “i will have try this, as i am a little skeptic…” =D

I appreciate it’s a bit wacky at first glance but reckon you’ll be totally convinced when you try it…

[tinpie]

I never pass judgement on any food dish unless I taste it, I eat pasta at least three times a week, so I am open to anything..thanks for writing back and if you get a chance check out my latest "instructable" the pasta roll....

[eatproperly]

It does look yummy, I'm just thinking it would go well with a little stinky blue cheese crumbled through it

[LeahHawks (FoodNotions)]

Definitely! - but I think I'd probably go for some potato gnocchi instead in that case. =D

[audreyobscura]

Yum!! Thanks for the post.

[LeahHawks (FoodNotions)]

Thanks for checking it out =D