Jamie Oliver’s Sweet Leek Carbonara with Fresh Thyme, Garlic, Cracked Black Pepper and Parmesan
Jamie Oliver's delicious Sweet Leek Carbonara is an easy, quick pasta dish perfect for a stress-free weeknight dinner. A clever twist on a traditional carbonara, this is a great way to add extra veggies to your mealtimes.
From the book
Veg: Easy & Delicious Meals for Everyone
Easy veg-packed recipes everyone can enjoy
Jamie's clever tips, tricks and twists for meat-free meals
Substantial recipes from one-pan wonders to family feasts
Ingredients
| 2 | large leeks |
| 4 cloves | garlic |
| 4 sprigs | fresh thyme |
| 1 knob | unsalted butter |
| olive oil | |
| 300g | dried spaghetti |
| 50g | Parmesan or pecorino cheese, plus extra to serve |
| 1 | large egg |
Method
Trim, wash and finely slice the leeks. Peel and finely slice the garlic and pick the thyme leaves, then place in a large casserole pan on a medium heat with the butter and 1 tablespoon of oil. Once sizzling, stir in the leeks and 400ml of water, then cover and simmer gently over a low heat for 40 minutes, or until sweet and soft, stirring occasionally. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
When the leeks are almost done, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of starchy cooking water. Toss the drained pasta into the leek pan, then remove from the heat and wait 2 minutes for the pan to cool slightly while you finely grate the cheese and beat it with the egg (if the pan’s too hot, it’ll scramble; get it right and it’ll be smooth, silky and deliciously elegant).
Loosen the egg mixture with a splash of reserved cooking water, then pour over the pasta, tossing vigorously (the egg will cook in the residual heat). Season to absolute perfection, going a little OTT on the pepper. Adjust the consistency with extra cooking water, if needed, and finish with a little stroke of cheese.
Fantastic served with a glass of cold Italian white wine.
Tip: often I triple the leek base and freeze it for quick cooking another day.
To make vegetarian: swap Parmesan or pecorino for vegetarian hard cheese.
ENERGY 418kcal • FAT 14.4g • SAT FAT 6g • PROTEIN 17g • CARBS 58.9g • SUGARS 4.4g • SALT 0.8g • FIBRE 2.3g
