Caramelized Leek Soup Recipes

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.

CREAMY CARAMELIZED-ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks, garlic, shallots, and half of the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are deep golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Add vermouth, stock, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Let cool. Puree onion mixture in batches in a blender until smooth, about 3 minutes per batch. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and golden brown, about 45 minutes. Cover, and set aside.
• Return onion puree to saucepan. Stir in cream. Reheat over medium heat, stirring, until heated through but not boiling. Season with salt, if desired. Serve, topped with caramelized onions.

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.

LEEK & DELICATA SQUASH SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED APPLE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and gently scrape or cut squash away from skin (delicata skin is edible, but not tasty in this dish). Set aside.
• Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add leeks and thyme and stir occasionally until soft and brown, 10-15 minutes. Stir in the stock and the squash and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, puree the soup in batches in a standard blender or food processor).
• Season with salt and pepper & top with sour cream and caramelized apple croutons
• To make the croutons:.
• Peel and core apple and halve lengthwise. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, cut apple into very thin slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread one layer of apple slices on top. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake slices for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until crisp.
• Transfer to cooling racks and let cool completely.

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 KOHLRABI SOUP

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack 4 to 6 inches from the broiler. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together kohlrabi, 2 tablespoons oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Transfer to oven and broil until very well browned, about 10 minutes total, tossing halfway through cooking. (Watch carefully to see that they do not burn.)
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and let cook for 1 minute.
• Add roasted kohlrabi, stock, 3 cups water, the bay leaf and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium, cover partly, and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes.
• Discard bay leaf. Using an immersion blender or working in batches in a food processor, purée soup until very smooth.
• Zest the lemon into the pot, then halve it and squeeze in its juice. Taste soup and add more salt if needed. Ladle soup into bowls and top with a drizzle of oil, grated cheese and a pinch of chile powder.

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.