Caramelized Endives And Leeks Recipes

CARAMELIZED ENDIVES AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Trim 2 leeks, leaving enough of the core to hold them together; halve lengthwise and rinse well. Halve 4 endives. Whisk 1/4 cup olive oil with 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, salt and pepper; toss with the leeks and endives. Place the vegetables on a sheet of foil; drizzle with any extra dressing. Fold up the packet and grill over medium-high heat until the endives are slightly golden and the leeks are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Top with crumbled blue cheese.

CARAMELIZED BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• In a medium skillet with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add the leeks and the chicken broth; Note that the leeks will reduce tremendously! You'll think you have enough to serve an army, but will ending up finishing them up with just a few hungry people!
• Cover and braise, stirring occasionally, for 8-12 minutes or until leeks are tender.
• Remove the lid, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the broth has almost evaporated.
• Increase heat to medium high and sprinkle the sugar over the leeks. If you don't have turbinado sugar, you can use regular granulated sugar, but the flavor will be slightly reduced.
• Cook, stirring frequently, for another 5-10 minutes or until the leeks are lightly caramelized.
• Serve immediately.

BRAISED ENDIVE WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Rinse the endive but leave the heads whole. Slice the leeks, trimming the roots and withered leaves. Rinse them thoroughly in several changes of cold water, making sure you have removed all the grit. Do not worry if the slices come apart.
• Place the sliced leeks across the bottom of a buttered shallow baking dish just big enough to hold the endive in one layer (use two dishes if necessary). Arrange the endive on top and add the butter, cut into pieces, and the chicken stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover with wax or foil paper and bake until the endive is tender (about 30 or 40 minutes) and the liquid has reduced to a syrupy glaze. (Remove the paper during cooking, about halfway through, if necessary to reduce the liquid).
• Sprinkle with chervil or parsley and serve.

CARAMELIZED LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Halve leeks lengthwise and thinly slice crosswise. In a large bowl of cold water wash leeks well and lift from water into a large sieve to drain. In a 6-quart heavy kettle cook leeks in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until some begin to turn golden, about 40 minutes. Stir in sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Stir in vermouth and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is evaporated and most leeks are golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Deglaze kettle with 1/2 cup broth and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes more, until liquid is evaporated and leeks are deep golden. Add remaining 3 cups broth and bring soup just to a boil. Season soup with salt and pepper.
• Serve soup, garnished with chives, with cheese toasts.

BALSAMIC CARAMELIZED LEEKS, CARROTS, AND CELERY

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir leeks until softened, about 5 minutes. Add celery, carrots, vegetable broth, and balsamic vinegar; cook and stir until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir brown sugar into leek mixture until dissolved and mixture is lightly browned, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

ENDIVES AND LEEKS IN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the leeks lengthwise, leaving the trimmed stem ends intact. Rinse well between the leaves. Drain well. Chop the leeks to make very small cubes. There should be about 2 cups.
• Trim off the ends of the endives. Cut each crosswise into thin slices. There should be about 4 cups.
• Heat the butter in a skillet and add the leeks. Cook, stirring often, about 2 minutes without browning.
• Add the endives and sprinkle with lemon juice. Add salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, about 1 minute. Cover closely and cook 5 minutes.
• Add the cream and nutmeg and stir. Serve piping hot.

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.

CARAMELIZED LEEKS OVER NOODLES

Steps:

• Split the leeks lengthways and wash each layer thoroughly.
• Slice across into thin strips, including the green part as well.
• Heat the oil and butter together over a gentle heat.
• When the butter has melted, add the leeks and toss well.
• Cook slowly, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the leeks start to soften.
• Sprinkle the sugar over all and, after a couple more minutes, mix well.
• Continue to cook for 15 to 30 minutes, until the leeks have begun to collapse into a sticky mass.
• Add small amounts of hot water if required to stop sticking.
• While the leeks are cooking, cook and drain the noodles.
• When the leeks are done, add the parsley, olive oil, cooked noodles and seasoning to taste.
• Toss well and serve.