Caramelized Grilled Leeks Recipes

GRILLED BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high. Cut each leek in half lengthwise and rinse thoroughly to remove all dirt and sand. Pat dry. Brush the cut side of each leek half with the bacon drippings and sprinkle with kosher salt. Grill over direct, high heat, cut side down, with lid closed, approximately 6 to 7 minutes or until grill marks appear. Remove the leeks to a sheet of aluminum foil and lay cut side up. Brush the leeks with balsamic vinegar. Reassemble the leek halves together, wrap tightly in foil, and set back on the grill away from direct heat for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove the leeks from the foil and serve immediately, as is or with crumbled bacon and goat cheese.

CARAMELIZED GRILLED LEEKS

Steps:

• The most important thing with leeks is to make sure and remove any sand or grit from between the layers. To do this, cut off the tops (hair-like ends) and most of the tough green parts.
• Then slice them in half, from top to bottom. Fan out the layers like in the photo above, and rinse under running water to remove any dirt or grit. I'm serious here y'all. These things are grown in sandy soil, and that grit has lots of places to hide, so clean these well.
• These can be grilled or baked in the oven. I like to place them on a hot grill to get the darkened grill marks before adding seasonings. If you do this, make sure your grill is nice and hot first, and it takes a few minutes to get those brown marks.
• Place leeks in a grill-proof pan. I line an aluminum disposable pan with parchment paper. Season with garlic powder, minced garlic, parsley flakes, and vegetarian 'oyster' sauce or soy sauce. Add 1/4 cup water to maintain moisture.
• Fold the parchment paper over top. Then cover with a sheet of foil. Toss on the grill and allow to cook at medium-high heat for approximately 20-30 minutes. If baking in the oven, bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
• If not cooked long enough, they will be chewy. Remove from grill and serve warm!

GRILLED LEMON-GARLIC CHICKEN WITH LEEKS AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Zest 2 tsp. lemon zest off lemon and transfer to a large bowl. Cut off ends, then squeeze 1 Tbsp. lemon juice into bowl with zest. Slice remaining lemon into thin rounds.
• Whisk garlic, salt, paprika, and 3 Tbsp. oil into lemon juice and zest. Add lemon slices, chicken, leeks, bell pepper, and potatoes and toss to coat.
• Brush wires of grill basket with oil, then add chicken mixture. Arrange in an even layer and close basket. Place grill basket on grill, cover, and cook, turning once halfway through, until chicken is fully cooked through and vegetables are lightly charred, 20-25 minutes.
• Transfer chicken mixture to a large bowl, add parsley, and toss to combine.

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.

SALMON WITH CARAMELIZED LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray with cooking spray.
• Trim away the root end, tough outer leaves, and dark green tops of the leeks. Cut the leeks lengthwise into quarters, then crosswise into thirds. Wash the leeks well to remove any grit, and drain in a colander.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook and stir the leeks until they have started to soften, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the leeks with brown sugar, and cook until they turn brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the matchstick carrots, sprinkle with kosher salt, and cook and stir until the carrots are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Place the salmon on the prepared baking sheet, rub the fillets with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the salmon until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily but isn't dry, about 10 minutes per 1 inch of thickness. Remove the cooked fillets to plates, and top each fillet with 1/4 of the caramelized leeks and carrots.

CARAMELIZED LEEK QUICHE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 12-inch circle. Fit dough into a 10-inch round fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing into edges. Trim dough to a 1/2-inch overhang all around. Fold edge of dough over to create an edge that extends 1/4-inch above the pan. Lightly prick bottom of dough all over with a fork. Chill until firm about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line bottom of dough with parchment paper, leaving at least a 1-inch overhang. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges are just beginning to turn golden, about 30 minutes. Remove parchment paper and weights; continue baking until lightly golden all over, 10 to 15 minutes more. Cool tart shell completely on a wire rack.
• Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks soften and begin to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle half of the cheese over the bottom of the tart shell, top with cooked leek mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, yolk, milk, cream, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour mixture over leeks and cheese. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes before serving, or serve at room temperature.

GRILLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Bring white wine, clam juice, garlic, onion and butter to a simmer. Add leeks and braise for 20 minutes, let cool in liquid. Cut lengthwise. Whisk together the olive oil and garlic in a large bowl, and the leeks and let marinate 1 hour. Preheat grill. Grill until golden brown.

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.

GRILLED LEEKS WITH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim the tough dark-green ends from leeks; discard, or set aside for another use. Trim root hairs; discard. Then, starting about 1/2 inch from the root end (which stays intact), slice each leek lengthwise from base to tip with a sharp knife. Rinse leeks thoroughly to remove sand.
• Fill a bowl with ice water; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt well, and add leeks. Blanch until leeks are very tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer leeks to the ice bath; submerge them immediately. Once the leeks are cold, drain them, pat them dry, and set them aside.
• In a small bowl, combine mustard and vinegar. Slowly drizzle oil into bowl, whisking to form a thick vinaigrette. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Lightly brush leeks with some vinaigrette, and arrange them on a medium-hot grill or grill pan. Grill leeks until they are hot and have grill marks, about 2 minutes per side. Remove leeks from grill, and toss with remaining vinaigrette. Serve.

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.

GRILLED LEEKS WITH HERBED VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Tie the leeks in 4 bundles with kitchen string, in a kettle of boiling salted water boil them for 6 minutes, or until they are just tender, and drain them in a colander. Refresh the leeks under cold water and discard the strings. Cut the leeks apart at the root ends and drain them on paper towels. (The leeks may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled). Brush the leeks with the oil and grill them in batches in a heated oiled ridged grill them in batches in a heated oiled ridged grill pan over moderate heat or on an oiled rack set 4 to 5 inches over glowing coals for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden. Transfer the leeks as they are golden. Transfer the leeks as they are grilled to a platter and keep them warm, covered. (The leeks may be prepared up to the is point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Reheat the leeks on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F. oven for 10 minutes, or until they are heated through.)
• Make the vinaigrette:
• In a bowl whisk together the mustard, the vinegar, and salt and black pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. Whisk in the herbs, the bell pepper, and the olives.
• Divide the leeks among 8 plates and spoon some of the vinaigrette over each serving.