This is NOT pesto. Arugula, parsley, chives and leeks make this fabulously green, bosky and fresh-tasting sauce for pasta. Even better yet, it's total fast lane cooking.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 2 | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 15 minutes-ish |
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This is NOT pesto. Arugula, parsley, chives and leeks make this fabulously green, bosky and fresh-tasting sauce for pasta. Even better yet, it's total fast lane cooking.
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces cavatappi (though penne, rotini, fusilli, spirali or even elbow macaroni would work)
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- A few drops olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 small leek white and light green parts only
- 3 ounces baby arugula
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped parsley divided
- 2 tablespoons minced chives
- 2 tablespoons extra dry white vermouth
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 - 3 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano grated
- 1 - 2 t-spoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 t-spoon lemon zest
- 1/2 t-spoon kosher salt plus A LOT more for the pasta water
Servings:
Instructions
- Put a large pot of water, covered, over high heat to bring to a boil.
- While you wait on the water, start with the leek: trim the top off so you only have the white and very light green parts. Quarter lengthwise and slice into thin pieces. Rinse them in a colander and pad dry with some paper towel.
- In a large sauté pan over a medium flame, heat 1 ½ tablespoons of the butter and a few drops of olive oil with the smashed garlic cloves until melted and hot. Add the leeks and a little salt. Cook for about 5 minutes – until the leeks are fairly soft.
- Once softened, pour in the vermouth and stir it into the leeks. Turn off the heat and transfer the leeks to a small processor.
- Put about 2/3s of the arugula and half the parsley in the processor and blitz everything until relatively smooth.
- Heavily salt the pasta water and drop the pasta in, cooking to the package instructions for al dente.
- When the pasta has 4 minutes left, turn the arugula-leek blend back into the sauté pan and add about ½ cup of pasta water (but remove more in case you need it). Once it starts to bubble, add the cream.
- Drain the pasta, shake well and add to the pan. Toss to coat in the sauce for about 1 – 2 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and toss in the Parm, remaining butter, lemon juice and zest, chives and remaining arugula and parsley. Serve hot.
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