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The main reason cooking may seem daunting to some is because the recipe looks like a shopping list. Sometimes it’s just as frustrating for those who enjoy cooking when they stumble upon something that looks enticing, but even their stocked pantry is missing a few of the obscure ingredients. It is possible to create in the kitchen without feeling overwhelmed. Combine a few staples with a couple of extras, and you have magic ready to happen!
Most people have a few of these ingredients on hand at all times–olive oil, butter, a box of dried pasta and a few herbs. Half the battle has already been won if you want to try this dish. The leeks add a subtle, sweet onion flavor that deepens as it cooks down. The beets’ natural sweetness is enhanced by roasting. Combined with a little garlic, rosemary and fresh parsley over pasta, this is a warm side salad that would go nicely with a variety of meats or fish. And if you always keep a few of the basics on hand at all times, you can make something like this or your own spin off anytime.
Roasted Beets and Leeks Pasta Salad – Serves 4
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 leek, sliced
3 beets, sliced
2 1/2 cups rainbow rotini pasta
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons rosemary, minced
2 tablespoons parsley, minced
Kosher salt
1. Toss beet slices in 1 tablespoon olive oil and rosemary. Sprinkle with a bit of salt. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15-18 minutes.
2. As beets cook, drop butter and remaining olive oil in a wide pan on the stove. Add leeks. Cover and allow to cook until they soften and begin to brown, approximately 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking.
3. Meanwhile, start a pot of salted water boiling on the stove. Drop in pasta and cook according to package’s directions. Drain and set aside.
4. Once beets, leeks and pasta are done, mix to combine. Add remaining rosemary, garlic and parsley and toss well Salt to taste.
Click HERE for the printable recipe.
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When writing recipes I always try to use generic ingredients that can mostly be obtained anywhere in the world. There is nothing that irritates me more when brand name products are used. Make it easy for people to cook your recipes. With this recipe you’re on to a winner!
I absolutely LOVE beets. That salad looks delicious.
The only dish, besides salad, that i have mad with beets is my beet risotto. They bleed all over the place!
This is a really interesting pasta salad. It’s a great use of some different vegetables, and really works well as a weeknight dish.
pasta salad is one of my favorite things in the world, but I’ve never made it! I’ve also never tried beets! Sounds like a perfect adventure
Plus, what says warm weather better than pasta salad?!
nice dish………purple is really underrated…
Sounds fantastic, I’ll have to see if I can get my girlfriend to try beets.
I so appreciate recipes like this — as a single gal chef, it’s hard to make exotic recipes with long lists of ingredients. I can never use everything up before it goes bad!
Love these flavor profiles… I’ve become obsessed with leeks lately!
Love where you’re coming from on this one, Duo … so great to showcase how much you can do with list of simple ingredients. More’s the better that you’ve got two of my favorites in there as well … leeks and beets. Yumm!
Leeks are a staple in my house and go so well with pasta.
I echo Michelle – fantastic!
This is my kind of pasta salad- flavorful, colorful and delicious! I agree-you can start with a few basic ingredients and build on it based on what you have on hand.
I love the leeks addition in here. I don’t think I’ve ever had a pasta salad with leeks, nice touch.
This looks wonderful cannot wait to try – I love beets and leeks.
That looks really good. I never would have thought of that combo before!
Love both leeks and beets and never had them in combination with pasta – it sounds wonderful! Great idea! And so pretty on a plate!
Beets and Leeks? oh my, you were busy clenaing and not staining yourself. thank goodness it is worth the effort.
I LOVE quick and easy meals, leeks are one of my favorites. This looks delicious.
I agree. Sometimes quick and simple is best.
Simple is best most nights. I’ll have to try roast beetroot. I have little beetroot seedlings now, so it might be a few months before I can roast them.
Great idea guys! I haven’t tried both together but I can’t see why it wouldn’t work!
I love using beets in food. I love the color it gives off and it has a great flavor when done right.
Beautifully done.The pasta sounds great.
That looks fabulous! I’m totally bookmarking this on Delicious.
NAOmni
I love beets! This looks great, and I do usually have this stuff on hand.
I tagged you for a meme if you’re interested.
This salad looks healthy, colorful and delicious.
Now this is a wonderful salad. Looks delicious.
I’ve never seen beets in pasta before! Worth a try I guess.
MMMMMM….I just love those real flavours!!! And I love everything with beets in it!!!! MMMMMMMMM…..
I agree, some recipes look like a shopping list and that discourages a lot of people. That’s why I always try to use just a few fresh, simple ingredients. It is amazing what you can come up with, like this pasta dish. The addition of beets is just awesome, i love them :-p
Beets are the best, and they look great in your salad!
Often the simple is better not necessarily complicated is equal to appetizing!
I’ve an award for you on my blog
Cheers!
Gera
I have never had beets this way. They are one of my favorites. It looks gorgeous!
I wished I liked beets – it looks SO good!
MMM…sounds like a dish I could easily eat too much of.
I completely agree with you, the less ingredients the better.
Answering your question about curry:
It seems like each curry has a little different flavour and ingredients. I tried few Caribbean curry powders already and all of them were milder than Indian ones. I’m not even talking about heat but intensity of all flavours.
You make an excellent point re: the numbers of ingredients. It is always a happy moment when I see a recipe that doesn’t have too many ingredients and most, if not all of them are to hand. We all need recipes like that!
Gorgeous colour contrast! Freshly roasted beets are so delicious.
I’m generally not a beet guy, but your photo has me thinking that I might want to give it a try in pasta salad. And I’m with you on your point about long/obscure ingredients lists. Simple usually works best for me!
I love leeks and beetroot, so this beautiful pasta salad is definitely for me! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Totally agree that some recipes are just too complicated.
LOVE beets!
I could go for some tricolor pasta right about now