Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil, divided as below
- 1 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 2 large leeks
- 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon minced shallot
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 pound tagliatelle pasta
- 1/3 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for table
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
In saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and quickly sear shrimp for 2 minutes. Set aside.Trim leeks and discard top 1/3 of tough green portion. Slice remainder into 1/2-inch thick rounds and rinse in several changes of cold water to remove all soil and grit. Drain well.
Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil with the 2 tablespoons of salt.
In saute pan, heat remaining olive oil, add leeks, and saute over moderately high heat, stirring until softened, about five minutes. Add shallots and cook, stirring 1 minute. Add butter and stock and simmer gently for 3 minutes Add shrimp and simmer an additional minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add tagliatelle to boiling water, stirring with a wooden spoon. If pasta is fresh, it will be done as soon as water returns to a boil. Otherwise, boil for 2 minutes, then turn off heat and let sit for remaining cooking time as specified on package.
Drain pasta well, add leek sauce, and toss to coat pasta.
Sprinkle with Pecorino Romano cheese. Toss well and serve with plenty of additional cheese.
Yield: 4 servings
Recipe Source: Lidia's Italian Table by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich (William Morrow)
Reprinted with permission.
