Charred Leeks With Quick Pickled Chiles And Peach Vinaigrette Recipes

CHARRED LEEKS WITH QUICK-PICKLED CHILES AND PEACH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Split the leeks in half. Run the cut sides under water, fanning the layers to remove any trapped silt or sand. Cut the leek halves into 2-inch pieces. Place the leeks in a colander to dry.
• Add the peaches and chiles to a mason jar with a lid. Heat the vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, cloves, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the vinegar mixture into the jar with the peaches. Leave the jar uncovered to come to room temperature while you cook the leeks.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the leeks to the oil cut-side up. Cook until the leeks crisp and char, about 3 minutes. Flip, cover and cook until the leeks brown on the cut sides and begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove the leeks to a serving platter.
• Measure 2 tablespoons of the pickling liquid into a measuring cup, jar or small bowl. Whisk in the lime juice and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Spoon a few peaches and chiles over the leeks, then pour over the dressing and sprinkle with mint. Serve immediately.

CHARRED LEEKS WITH ORANGE SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the leeks: Heat oven to 375 F. Trim the root ends, then remove the green tops and any tough, damaged outer fronds. Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse in cool water to remove the sandy soil they grow in. Pat dry and place on a roasting pan cut side up. Drizzle olive oil over the leeks, season with salt and pepper and roast until tender, 15-20 minutes.
• For the vinaigrette: In a saucepan, add orange juice, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer until liquid is reduced by half, 5 minutes. Finish making the vinaigrette by removing the garlic from the reduced orange juice and whisking in vinegar, then olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Assemble the dish: Arrange the leeks on a serving platter, drizzle several tablespoons of the vinaigrette (reserving the rest for another use), and garnish with cilantro and orange segments.
• For the leeks: Heat oven to 375 F. Trim the root ends, then remove the green tops and any tough, damaged outer fronds. Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse in cool water to remove the sandy soil they grow in. Pat dry and place on a roasting pan cut side up. Drizzle olive oil over the leeks, season with salt and pepper and roast until tender, 15-20 minutes.
• For the vinaigrette: In a saucepan, add orange juice, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer until liquid is reduced by half, 5 minutes. Finish making the vinaigrette by removing the garlic from the reduced orange juice and whisking in vinegar, then olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Assemble the dish: Arrange the leeks on a serving platter, drizzle several tablespoons of the vinaigrette (reserving the rest for another use), and garnish with cilantro and orange segments.

CHARRED-PEACH PANZANELLA WITH PICKLED PEPPER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk garlic, pickle brine, mustard, and salt in a large bowl to combine. Add tomatoes and pickled peppers and gently toss to combine. Let sit, tossing occasionally, while you cook the bacon, bread, and peaches.
• Arrange bacon in a cold large cast-iron skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mostly crisp (there can still be a few soft, chewy spots if you're into that sort of thing), about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour bacon fat into a small bowl; set aside. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. reserved bacon fat in same skillet. Working in batches and adding more bacon fat as needed, toast bread until golden (a few char marks are fine), about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat another 1 Tbsp. bacon fat (if you've run out, use vegetable or olive oil) in same skillet and cook peach halves, cut side down, until lightly charred, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let sit until cool enough to handle. Slice each half in half again or into thirds and add to bowl with tomatoes. Tear toasted bread into 1"-1½" pieces and add to bowl. Add bacon and toss gently to combine and saturate bread with juices collected in bowl.
• Transfer panzanella to a platter or individual bowls to serve.