Paccheri Stuffed with Smoked Salmon Cream, Ricotta, and Dill on Leek and Potato Velouté
Category: Main Dishes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Paccheri pasta | 40 pieces |
| Smoked salmon | 400g |
| Cow’s milk ricotta | 750g |
| Fresh dill | to taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 40g |
| Fine salt | a pinch |
| Ground black pepper | a pinch |
| Leeks | 200g |
| Potatoes | 400g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 60g |
| Vegetable broth | 600g |
| Fine salt | to taste |
| Ground black pepper | to taste |
| Leek leaves | 12 leaves |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Leek and Potato Velouté
Start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into thin slices. In a large saucepan, heat some extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks (finely sliced) and sauté them until they soften. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Once the leeks have softened, add the sliced potatoes to the pan and let them cook for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Next, pour in the vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Once the potatoes are tender (about 15–20 minutes), use an immersion blender to purée the mixture until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Set the velouté aside to keep warm.
Step 2: Make the Stuffing for the Paccheri
While the velouté is simmering, prepare the stuffing for the paccheri. Start by cutting the smoked salmon into thin strips. In a fine mesh sieve, strain the ricotta to remove any excess moisture. Transfer the strained ricotta into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and the smoked salmon strips.
Chop the fresh dill and add it to the ricotta mixture, stirring gently until all the ingredients are well combined. Set the stuffing aside.
Step 3: Cook the Paccheri Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the paccheri pasta and cook them according to the package instructions until they are al dente (about 10–12 minutes).
Once the pasta is ready, drain it, reserving a little of the pasta water. Place the cooked paccheri in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil to prevent them from sticking together. Allow them to cool down slightly.
Step 4: Stuff the Paccheri and Prepare for Baking
While the paccheri is cooling, take the leek leaves you reserved earlier and slice them into long strips. These will be used to tie the paccheri bundles together.
Next, carefully stuff the paccheri with the smoked salmon and ricotta mixture. You can use a piping bag without a nozzle for an easy filling process. Arrange the stuffed paccheri into 4 small bundles, with each bundle containing 10 pieces of stuffed paccheri.
Place the bundles onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Once all the paccheri are stuffed, use the leek strips to tie the bundles together, wrapping the leek around the paccheri to secure them.
Step 5: Bake the Paccheri
Preheat your oven to 240°C (464°F) and set it to grill mode. Place the paccheri bundles in the oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until a light golden crust forms on the top. The grill setting will give the paccheri a delicious, crispy texture.
Step 6: Assemble the Dish
Once the paccheri are baked, remove them from the oven and immediately place them onto your serving plates. Warm the leek and potato velouté slightly, and ladle it into the center of each plate. Arrange the stuffed paccheri bundles on top of the velouté.
Your stuffed paccheri with smoked salmon, ricotta, and dill on leek and potato velouté are now ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for Success
- For a richer flavor: Add a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche to the leek and potato velouté before serving.
- To enhance the presentation: Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil on top of the stuffed paccheri.
- For a slightly tangy twist: Use a smoked trout or mackerel in place of the smoked salmon.
This recipe for Paccheri Stuffed with Smoked Salmon Cream, Ricotta, and Dill on Leek and Potato Velouté is an exquisite combination of delicate flavors that will impress anyone you serve it to. With a creamy, rich velouté and tender, savory pasta filled with a flavorful salmon and ricotta mixture, this dish makes for a truly memorable meal perfect for special occasions or just a luxurious dinner at home.
