Monday, July 19, 2010

Bow Ties with Sausage and Leek Sauce



Farfalle or Butterflies with Sausage and Leek Sauce



...and a very beautiful Morpho butterfly from Brazil for Blue Monday.

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I had a backlog of leeks in the refrigerator and needed to clear space for other produce that's being harvested. To that end, I made a leek tart and a large batch of potato soup that was destined for the freezer and fall lunches. There were still, however, several large leeks that had to be dealt with. A quick search took me to the recipe that I'm featuring today. I am a huge fan of Lidia Bastanich and have nothing but good things to say about the food she prepares. This recipe is one she developed and I'm happy to report that those who follow it will have a pasta that's delicious, inexpensive and easy to make. The original recipe comes from her book Lidia's Italian Table which can be found here. This dish appealed to me on several levels. We are trying to eliminate some of the meat in our diet, and while the dish is not vegetarian, it uses far less meat than is found in most pasta sauces. While strongly flavored, it is also very light do to the absence of cream or a tomato base. The flavor of leeks dominates the other ingredients in the dish. I do not recommend using onions in their stead. The leeks add a sweetness that is missing in onions and they would really change the nature of this dish. I know those of you who try this will like it. Here's my version of the recipe.

Bow Ties with Sausage and Leek Sauce
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, adapted from Lidias Italian Table

Ingredients:
6 quarts salted water
2 large leeks (about 1 pound)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 sweet Italian sausages (about 6 ounces), casing removed
1 tablespoon minced shallots
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided use
1 cup young peas, blanched in boiling water for 2 minutes, or defrosted and drained frozen baby peas
1 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces bow-tie pasta (farfalle)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigian-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving, if you like

Directions:

1) Bring salted water to a boil. Cover pot to speed up the boiling time.
2) Meanwhile, prepare leeks: Cut off and discard top third of rough green portion and root ends. Remove any brown or wilted outer layers. Slice remaining green and white parts into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Rinse leek slices in several changes of cold water, swishing them around to remove all soil and grit.
3) In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Crumble sausage meat into skillet and cook, breaking up lumps, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add leeks to skillet and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in shallots and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, peas and stock. Heat to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, cover skillet, and set aside.
4) While sauce simmers, stir bow ties into boiling water. When water returns to a boil, uncover pot. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente (tender, but firm), about 12 minutes. Drain bow ties well and return them to pot over low heat.
5) Add sausage and leek sauce to the pasta and toss well until pasta is coated. Remove pot from heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and grated cheese. Toss well. Serve immediately, passing additional grated cheese if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Capellini Capricciosa - One Perfect Bite
Pasta Puttanesca - One Perfect Bite
Penne with Asparagus and Lemon Sauce
Orzo Pasta with Shrimp - The Wicked Noodle
Fruity Chicken Pasta Salad - The Kitchen Witch
Caramelized Pepper and Sausage Pasta - Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday

70 comments :

Eileen said...

Sounds good. :)

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I always love the combination of leeks with sausage - delish!

Angie's Recipes said...

I cooked some mini bow ties the other day with peas and feta...but I like your version more...so much better and lighter.

J e l e n a said...

love the bows...they are so underrated compared to other pasta...they always bring a smile to my face

Unknown said...

What a great dish. I love the way you described everything that is good about it!

Priya Suresh said...

Am ready to finish that whole plate immediately..yummy!

Joyti said...

The butterfly was lovely :)
I don't eat sausage (dont eat pork or beef)...but otherwise the recipe looks enticing.

FOODESSA said...

Mary...I absolutely agree that so many interesting recipes can use a little less meat...and pasta certainly helps us with that ;o)

When leeks are in season...I chop a lot of it and store little portions in the freezer for later use...I love the flavour it imparts in a dish.

Lovely recipe...thanks and have a great day,
Claudia

Sutapa said...

Great dish! light healthy and the combo of leeks and sausage sound delicious!

Deana Sidney said...

I am with you mary, I think we should all cut our meat footprint down a size or two... this is a great way to do it and leeks are so underused and so tasty.. thanks for the great idea.

Sushma Mallya said...

leek sauce sounds great..looks yum

Catherine said...

This is right up my street, it looks delicious! Sausage and leeks are fabulous components for a sauce :)

Simply Life said...

delicious pasta dish!

Joanne said...

Sausage is perfect for mixing into pasta because it has such a strong flavor that you don't need to use very much! I love it's saltiness paired with the sweet leeks. Masterpiece.

Martha said...

I am craving some good pasta and this looks yummy -- soon, I hope, soon!

From the Kitchen said...

Mary: I'm a big fan of Lidia too! And, I have seven nice leeks in the crisper that are in search of a "dish".
Thanks for the potato soup for the freezer reminder--those winter winds will blow sooner than I like to think.

Have a delicious week!

Best,
Bonnie

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I am quite a fan of bow tie pasta - and have been since I was a child. It just makes me smile!

PeggyR said...

That sounds yummy and I love the butterfly.

Vegetarian Yogini said...

very appealing dish- I love watching Create as well and Lydia is one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing!

penny aka jeroxie said...

Nice and clean recipe... delish!

SmilingSally said...

My husband loves pasta with Italian sausage, Mary.

Happy Blue Monday.

Unknown said...

I adore leeks! They do offer such a nice flavor, bit of sweetness like you mentioned. My husband would love this dish! I think I will be getting Lidia's book too...not sure why I haven't yet? Thanks Mary!

Claudia said...

Leeks and sausage are such a perfect pairing. Throw in some pasta and I'm a happy camper. I also love Lidia's recipes!

Unknown said...

Oh, Mary, this sounds wonderful! We love leeks and I'm always looking for new ways to use it. Thanks for the great recipe!

Katerina said...

I love leeks. Combining them with pasta and sausage is ideal. I would also love to see the leek pie you make, since I am making such one too. It would be great to see your way of making it.

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Bow tie pasta has always been one of my favorite pastas. We have been using a lot of leeks lately at work too,more so in soups than anything. But I would love to make this for my pasta-loving family back home!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Delicious and beautiful! What more could a woman want on a Monday morning?

gengen said...

Yummy entry....Happy blue Monday.

mine is here

Jen_from_NJ said...

I have always had great luck with Lidia's recipes. Sweet leeks with the Italian sausage sounds like a winning combination.

Big Dude said...

I'm sure I'd love this and just happen to have some bulk, homemade Italian sausage in the freezer that needs to be used. Good summertime pasta dish that will be tried soon.

tinyskillet said...

Mmmm...this looks wonderful! I love using leeks, they have such a nice flavor. This whole dish just seems to work!

Unknown said...

I like the leek sauce with sausage, it just sounds wonderful. I'm also a fan of bow tie pasta, how could you not love a pasta shaped like that?

Tasha said...

This is right up my alley! I love broth based sauces in the summer time, and with leeks, peas, sausage and parmesan, it sounds delightful. Plus there is just something fun about farfalle!

Marie said...

Oh wow! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe with us. Luv bow tie pasta and leeks...can't wait to try it. Visiting from Blue Monday.
-marie

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Mary, I love the combination of flavors and the lightness of the dish! This is a perfect meal for a hot day!

DailyChef said...

I really like this pasta and am so glad you posted it on your blog!

Momgateway said...

lovely sauce...can't goo wrong with sausage and leeks..

Monet said...

My last comment was deleted...but this pasta looks delicious. I adore leeks, and although I don't do sausage, I'm sure this would still taste delicious without. Butter, shallots, cheese and leeks...yum!

Pam said...

Mary, it sounds delicious and I love your writing about it! The butterfly is gorgeous also! Have a good day!

Unknown said...

I can almost taste this dish Mary. My mouth waters just reading about it. Yum. A must try.
Have a great day. Michael.

Julie said...

Mary - Another delicious recipe. Yesterday I looked at my bookmarked recipes to plan my menus for the week. I am guessing 25% of the recipes I have bookmarked are yours!! Making your shrimp with corn and basil tonight. I love Lydia and leeks! I hardly ever cook with sausage. One more of Mary's recipes bookmarked. Check! Have a great day!

Namitha said...

Hi Mary ! Hope you are doing great. Just got back after a long vacation in India :-)Really missed you all..I know I have tons to catch up now..
This is such an awesome combo..my daughter would love this

The Blonde Duck said...

Totally craving pasta now....

Unknown said...

Oh yum, shallots and leeks in a sauce sounds like a dream.

I also made your strawberry bread pudding over the weekend, my husbands co-workers thank you - they devoured it.

Chiara said...

I love this kind of pasta and I'll try this sauce very soon, thanks for sharing , your blog is now in my section "Cucinare in altre lingue" (cooking in other languages)...kisses

Juliana said...

Oh Mary, this bow tie pasta dish looks amazing...I better get my lunch before I drool over my keyboard :-)

Biren said...

This really sounds good! I like leeks and bowties. I have some bowties but will have to get some leeks which shouldn't be a problem. Will have to sook this soon.

Julie M. said...

Mmmmm. I make a dish similar to this and it's delicious! Pretty much anything with sausage is delicious in my book though. I know this recipe won't disappoint. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous picture of the Morpho butterfly! I like butterflies- as long as they don't flutter *any*where near me and stay well away!
Pasta with any kind of leek sauce is lovely, and so comforting- this dish looks delicious. Have a great week Mary, x

Eliana said...

I love all kinds of pasta dishes and this is one that I can see myself eating for many years to come.

RamblingTart said...

How delectably homey and comforting, Mary. :-) It's like a hug in a bowl. :-)

redmenace said...

I can't imagine a better combination. What a perfect way to use up your leeks. I'm now hungry!

Ana Powell said...

Happy and delicious blue Monday ♥

Rita said...

Farfalle is one pasta that I just love;and what great recupe you are sharing; thanks so much. I know my husband will love this one.
Rita

Unknown said...

I love pasta recipes!

Suman Singh said...

bow tie is my fav pasta..looks delish!

Carolyn said...

Mmmm, I can't do the pasta but the sausage and leek sauce sounds wonderful! I could pour it over ribbons of zucchini!

By the way, your blog is in my "inspirations" list, and I put you on my list for a blogger award. This is one of my favourite blogs.

The Words Crafter said...

Gosh, that looks good! I can't wait for fall-I do much more cooking in cooler weather and I'm putting away so many recipes...thank you!

Kim said...

I just bought one of Lidia's books but haven't had the chance to cook anything from it yet. I'm so glad to hear that you like her recipes. I love the sound of the leek sauce. It looks and sounds wonderful. Hope you're doing well this summer!

Jingle said...

it is amazing!

Jeannie said...

Such a lovely pasta dish! And the butterfly is beautiful!

joyh82 said...

Looks yummy, love the dish too.
Have a great week!

We Are Not Martha said...

I don't cook with leeks enough. I do love sausage and this looks incredible!

Sues

Valérie said...

With those ingredients, I don't see how this couldn't taste good!

The Glamorous Gourmet said...

That recipe sounds delicious & love your photos! Would enjoy that dish with a nice glass of Fiano de Avellino - thanks for sharing! Cheers!

tigerfish said...

My kind of one-dish meal!

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Buone le farfalle "Barilla" !!!
Mi piacciono molto con panna, piselli e pezzettini di prosciutto cotto e tanto parmiggiano grattuggiato sopra !
Buona giornata.

Deb in Hawaii said...

What a beautiful dish--I love the sausage and leeks and it all looks so creamy and good together. A beautiful butterfly picture too. ;-)

Kathy said...

sounds like one of those perfect recipes that would be made often! I've made a similar version - looking forward to trying this one!
Thanks,
Kathy

Joe Ambrosino said...

Just lovely. I own that cookbook, Mary and I follow that philosophy in my cooking.

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