Creamy Baked Leeks With Citrus Crumbs Recipes

LEEKS WITH CHARDONNAY AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Cut dark green parts off the leeks and discard. Remove any damaged outer leaves. Cut leeks in half lengthwise and slice into 1/2-inch strips on the diagonal. Transfer to a colander. Separate slices and rinse thoroughly to remove dirt. Drain.
• Place leeks in a pot over medium-high heat. Pour in Chardonnay and sugar. Cook, stirring often, until leeks are soft and tender and wine has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in creme fraiche and season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY BAKED LEEKS WITH CITRUS CRUMBS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Steam the leeks for 10 mins or until just tender, then drain and pat dry. Arrange in an ovenproof dish and spoon over the cheese sauce.
• Mix the breadcrumbs, cheese, lemon zest and thyme together. Scatter over the leeks and bake for 15-20 mins, until the leeks are cooked and the crumbs have turned golden and crisped up.

CREAMED LEEKS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Cut each leek into an 8-inch length, measuring from root end, and halve lengthwise, then cut crosswise into roughly 1 1/2-inch pieces. (You should have about 8 cups.) Wash leek pieces in a large bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and transfer to another bowl. Repeat with clean water, then drain leeks well.
• Cook bread crumbs with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and pale golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Cut out a round from parchment or wax paper to fit just inside a 12-inch heavy skillet.
• Cook leeks with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, leeks covered directly with parchment, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 12 minutes.
• Discard parchment and transfer leeks with a slotted spoon to gratin dish. Pour cream slowly over leeks, then scatter bread crumbs on top. Bake until cream is bubbling and slightly thickened and crumbs are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

CREAMED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut off roots of the leeks and peel off any withered leaves. Cut off 2 inches from green tops. With a sharp knife slit the green parts in half lengthwise stopping an inch from root end. Make another slit, lengthwise and perpendicular. Spread leaves apart an rinse them under running water, carefully looking out for hidden grit. Cut leeks crosswise into 1 1/2-inch lengths.
• Heat butter in a saucepan and add the leeks. Toss to combine them with the butter. Add the broth, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until completely tender. You may do the recipe 2 to 3 days in advance up to this point. Over medium heat, evaporate the liquid from the leeks and when they are totally dry add heavy cream, starting with 1/4 cup or so and simmer, stirring continuously until the cream has been absorbed by the leeks. Add 1/4 cup more and repeat if you wish. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

CONFIT LEEKS WITH LENTILS, LEMON AND CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius/350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If necessary, soak and carefully rinse the leek rounds in a large bowl of water to get rid of any excess grit. Drain, then cautiously pat dry, keeping the rounds intact.
• Add the leeks, garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper to a 12-by-8-inch/30-by-20-centimeter baking dish. Mix gently to combine, then pour the oil on top. Arrange the leeks cut-side up, then cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove the baking dish from the oven and gently turn the leeks using two forks. Cover again with foil and return to the oven to bake until completely softened, about 35 minutes more. Turn the oven temperature up to 200 degrees Celsius/400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• As the leeks bake, fill a medium saucepan about two-thirds of the way with water and bring to a boil over high. Add the lentils and cook until just tender but not at all mushy, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
• When ready, remove the confit leeks from the oven and transfer a heaping 1/2 cup/100 grams of the cooked leeks plus 5 of the garlic cloves to a bowl for the leek cream. Add the cooked lentils to the remaining leeks in the baking dish along with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper; mix gently to combine. Cover again with the foil and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and leave to settle for 10 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs.
• While the lentils bake with the leeks, make the cream: Add reserved leeks and garlic to a food processor along with the heavy cream, mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/8 teaspoon of salt; blitz until smooth.
• When ready, stir the remaining 4 tablespoons lemon juice and the chopped herbs into the lentil and leek mixture. Transfer to a rimmed platter and serve with the leek cream in a bowl alongside.

BROILED LEEKS WITH BUTTERED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Trim leeks and discard most of dark-green parts. Cut leeks in half lengthwise and wash well, keeping halves intact. Steam leeks 15 minutes, or until tender. Arrange leeks, cut sides up, on a buttered baking sheet.
• Preheat broiler.
• In a small saucepan melt butter and stir in bread crumbs and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon bread crumb mixture onto leeks, patting down mixture with back of spoon to help adhere. Broil leeks 2 to 3 inches from heat until bread crumbs are golden brown, about 3 minutes.

SOUR CREAM-LEEK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add leeks; cook until tender, 6-7 minutes. Cool., Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in remaining butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in leeks, sour cream and water just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times. , Pat or roll out to 1/2-in. thickness; cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place in a cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet. Bake until golden brown, 12-16 minutes. Serve warm.

CREAMY PARMESAN LEEKS

Steps:

• Place the leeks, water and butter in a saucepan with a tightly fitting lid.
• Bring quickly to the boil, then turn the heat as low as you can, and cook for about 15 minutes, checking the liquid and stirring a couple of times.
• Stir in the cream and heat, then fold in the parmesan cheese and serve.

LEEKS BAKED IN CREAM

Steps:

• Trim the leeks, discarding the roots and reserving the green parts for another use.
• Cut the white parts in half lengthwise and rinse carefully to remove sand.
• Butter a suitable flat baking dish and arrange the leeks in it, cut side up.
• Mix the cream with the mustard, season very lightly with salt (the cream reduces considerably during baking), add pepper to taste, and pour the cream mixture over the leeks. Sprinkle on the bread crumbs and bake for a half to three-quarters of an hour, or until the leeks are tender and the cream is well reduced and the top lightly browned.

LEEKS BRAISED IN CREAM WITH GARLIC AND LEMON

Steps:

• Trim leeks about 2 inches beyond the point where the leaves start to darken.
• Trim the root end and cut the leeks in half length-wise and then crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Place the leek pieces in a large bowl filled with cold water and rinse thoroughly.
• Lift the leeks out of the water (the soil will have sunk to the bottom) and into a colander to drain.
• Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks start to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add the cream, broth and zest.
• Cover and simmer until the leeks are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and cook until the braising liquid thickens, about 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.