Ingredient: leeks, use dark green tops, sliced thin

Some years ago I started using leeks and have never looked back since. Brion & I have never tired of that subtle flavor. When a recipe calls for leeks, it usually indicates to use the white and light green parts only and to either discard the ‘tough dark green tops’ or save them for another use.

So what are these ‘other uses’? Usually it refers to using the green tops as add-ins for soups or stock, only to be removed once they have imparted their wonderful layer of flavor and discarded.

When you think about it, we cook up all kinds of vegetables that are ‘tough’ to start out with yet end up nice and tender when cooked or braised. I find, using the dark green tops presents no issues, just cook them a bit longer than the tender leaves.

On the other hand, you can braise the dark green tops with some butter/olive oil, chicken or veg stock, minced garlic, dried chili flakes, salt & pepper & some lemon juice and make a great side dish to serve with fish or pasta etc.

Print Recipe

Stuffed Pasta Shells w/ Wild Salmon, Leeks & Mushrooms

Votes: 2
Rating: 3.5
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Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

American

Keyword

stuffed pasta shells w/ wild salmon, leeks & mushrooms

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

Garlic Sauce

• 2 Tbsp EACH olive oil & butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• salt & pepper to taste
• 60 gm mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp parsley flakes

Pasta & Filling

• 16 large pasta shells
• 3 slices smoky bacon, finely chopped
• 1-2 leeks, use dark green tops, sliced thin
• 150 gm mushrooms, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 600 gm salmon, skinless cut in small cubes

Topping

• 50 gm Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

Course Main Dish Cuisine American Keyword stuffed pasta shells w/ wild salmon, leeks & mushrooms Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients Garlic Sauce 2 Tbsp EACH olive oil & butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup flour 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups milk salt & pepper to taste 60 gm mozzarella cheese, grated 1 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp parsley flakes Pasta & Filling 16 large pasta shells 3 slices smoky bacon, finely chopped 1-2 leeks, use dark green tops, sliced thin 150 gm mushrooms, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 600 gm salmon, skinless cut in small cubes Topping 50 gm Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 2 Tbsp olive oil

Votes: 2 Rating: 3.5 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

Pasta & Filling

1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add pasta shells & cook 3 minutes less than the cooking time indicated on the package instructions. Drain pasta
2. In a large saucepan, over medium-high heat, saute chopped bacon until cooked. Remove from saucepan with a slotted spoon to a paper towel. Add leeks, garlic & mushrooms to bacon drippings. Sauté until leeks are soft; season with salt & pepper. Add salmon, gently combine & set aside.

Garlic Sauce

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add butter & olive oil. Once melted, add garlic then sauté until light golden brown, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Sprinkle in flour; whisk & sauté for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk while whisking until mixture is smooth. Season with salt & pepper then switch to a wooden spoon & stir constantly until mixture is thick & bubbly, 4-5 minutes.
2. Remove saucepan from heat & stir in mozzarella cheese, garlic powder & parsley flakes until smooth. Taste then adjust salt & pepper if necessary.

Topping

1. In a small saucepan, over medium heat, add olive oil. Add breadcrumbs & cook, stirring until toasted & golden in color. Remove from heat & place in a small bowl; combine with parmesan cheese.

Assembly & Baking

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a 13 X 9-inch baking dish, spread a small amount of garlic sauce over the bottom. To filling mixture, add reserved bacon & enough garlic sauce to help the filling stick together.
3. Divide filling between the 16 cooked pasta shells & place in baking dish. Top with any remaining garlic sauce then sprinkle topping over all.

   
4. Bake for about 30 minutes making sure not to overcook the salmon. Serve.