Recipe

Lemon, Leek, and Basil Sauce (for seafood, chicken, or pasta)

Photo 1 of 2
by shangrilarcadia

Photo 2 of 2
by shangrilarcadia

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe Using Fresh Basil
Chef
shangrilarcadia's Notes: The evolution of this sauce: We often have lemon chicken served with fettucini alfredo, and my fiance likes to mix the two together to make a lemon cream sauce pasta. The other night when...
The evolution of this sauce: We often have lemon chicken served with fettucini alfredo, and my fiance likes to mix the two together to make a lemon cream sauce pasta. The other night when he requested it, I had the basil recipe contest on my mind, and thinking how well lemon and basil go together, I set off to make a lemon basil cream sauce. At the grocery store, while picking out lemons, I spotted some leeks and thought "lemon and basil go well, and lemon and leek go well, I wonder what the three would be like to mix all three together" so I decided to make a lemon, leek, and basil sauce to go over chicken and pasta. While cooking and tasting the sauce, I decided it would be even better with seafood, so I made a quick decision to switch proteins. We decided it would be great with peas for a veggie and a crumbled bacon garnish for a bit of saltiness. I'm listing the sauce and pasta seperately here because while I used it in a pasta, I think the sauce would also be good spooned over fish, shrimp, or chicken.

Expand Collapse

4 medium leeks -halved and thinly sliced (only the white and pale green parts) Ask a question about this ingredient

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
Ask a question about this step
Add leeks; cover and cook until leeks are very tender, stirring occasionally (10-15 minutes).
Ask a question about this step
Add lemon juice and stir for a minute.
Ask a question about this step
Add cream and simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 10 minutes).
Ask a question about this step
Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in basil just before serving.
Ask a question about this step

Preheat grill to 400 degrees. Begin heating salted water for pasta.
Ask a question about this step
Place 5 shrimp on each skewer and season with lemon pepper seasoning and salt and pepper as desired.
Ask a question about this step
Prepare sauce as listed above. When it reaches the cream stage, add pasta to water and cook until al dente.
Ask a question about this step
Also while sauce is thickening, boil peas in a small pot until cooked through. Drain and set aside.
Ask a question about this step
Grill shrimp skewers for 3 minutes per side.
Ask a question about this step
Toss pasta and peas with sauce. Top with shrimp and garnish with crumbled bacon.
Ask a question about this step