Braised Leeks With Tomatoes Recipes

CARAMELIZED LEEKS BRAISED IN A WINE AND THYME BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim the leeks by removing the outer layer and most of the dark green tops. You should be left with only the white and light green parts. Halve them lengthwise, making sure to leave the root end intact. Place the trimmed leeks in a large bowl of cold water and swish them around to remove the grit and dirt from the many layers. (Leave the leeks in the water for a few minutes - this will loosen up the dirt). Remove the leeks from the water and drain them on a kitchen towel or paper towels.
• Place a 12" non-stick skillet over medium heat (the skillet should have a lid which you will need later.) When the skillet is hot, add two tablespoons of butter and when the butter melts, sprinkle the sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper evenly over the bottom of the skillet. Next, add the leeks, cut side down in a single layer. Cook the leeks until they become golden brown and caramelized. This will take 5-6 minutes depending on the heat and the kind of skillet you are using.
• To the skillet, add the wine, broth, fresh thyme sprigs and some salt & pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, carefully turning them once or twice (this step is not absolutely necessary). The leeks are done when they can be pierced easily with a knife. If they need a longer time braising or if your liquid has evaporated, add some more wine and broth.
• Remove the leeks from the skillet and place on a serving dish. Cover them to keep them warm. Simmer the remaining liquid in the skillet over medium heat, for a minute or so, until it is thickened. Stir in the remaining 1-tablespoon of butter and the lemon juice. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Spoon the sauce over the leeks; sprinkle some pomegranate seeds (this is optional) and serve warm.

LEEK AND TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350. Trim the leeks of the hard green parts and outer skin, and wash them well. If they're fat, quarter them the long way. Chop the tomatoes and put them in a gratin dish long enough to hold the leeks but narrow enough so that everything is snug. Add the oil and nestle the leeks in there; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bake, checking and stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes become saucy and the leeks are very, very tender, about an hour. If you like, sprinkle with Parmesan and raise the heat until the cheese melts and browns a bit. Otherwise, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot or warm.

SIMPLE BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Remove outer leaves; cut dark-green ends from leeks. Trim roots, keeping leaves attached. Halve lengthwise; rinse to remove grit.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks to pan and arrange cut side down in a single layer. Cook until softened and light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn leeks and cook on the other side until softened, 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks again so they are cut side down and peel off any papery outer layers. Add stock and wine, stirring to deglaze pan. Cook for 1 minute. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover with a parchment paper round. Cook until the leeks are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes.
• Remove parchment, raise heat, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse salt and parsley; serve.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cut the ends and the dark green leaves of the leeks, and cut in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes, then run under the faucet to remove any sand that may be lingering in between the layers. Peel off thick outer layers and discard.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet that will accommodate all of the leeks in one layer. Place the leeks in the pan, cut side down, and cook, shaking the pan and moving them around with tongs, until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the leeks over and cook on the other side until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks back over so that the cut side is down. Peel off the outer layers if they are papery, as they will not soften when the leeks are braised. Pour in the wine and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan, then add enough water or stock to come just to the top of the leeks. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the leeks are thoroughly tender when pierced with a knife. Most of the liquid should have evaporated by this time. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
• Transfer the leeks to an oiled ovenproof pan if your skillet cannot go under the broiler. Using tongs, turn the leeks so that the flat side is up. If there is still a lot of liquid in the pan, pour it off. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the leeks. Place under the hot broiler until the cheese has melted and is beginning to color. Remove from the heat and serve.

TOMATO BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Trim root end of leeks& cut off all but 3 inches of the green end.
• Cut the leeks in half lengthwise; if very large, cut into quarters lengthwise.
• Rinse well, blot dry with paper towels& set aside.
• Heat oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium heat.
• Add bacon& cook for 5 or 6 minutes.
• Stir in remaining ingredients& cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 8 minutes.
• Remove skillet from the heat.
• Remove half of the tomato mixture from the skillet.
• Arrange the leeks side by side in the skillet.
• Top with the reserved tomato mixture& cover the skillet.
• Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the leeks are tender, about 30 minutes.

LEEK TOMATO DISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers, rosemary, thyme and sage.
• Place leeks in the bottom of a large baking dish. Layer with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Top with the crushed cracker mixture, and drizzle with melted butter
• Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

COD WITH LEEKS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss together leeks, lemon juice, oil, lemon zest, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover with foil, and bake until leeks just begin to soften, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove baking dish from oven. Add tomatoes, and toss to combine. Season both sides of cod fillets with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; place on top of vegetables.
• Cover dish and bake until fish is opaque throughout, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Combine the first 7 ingredients in a 2-quart casserole; stir well. Cover with casserole lid, and microwave at HIGH 6 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes.
• Combine wine and cornstarch in a bowl, stirring until blended; add to leek mixture. Stir in tomatoes.
• Microwave, uncovered, at HIGH 6 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring after 3 minutes.
• Yield: 5 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup).