Frizzled Leeks Recipes

FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut leeks lengthwise into thin strips. Wash leeks and drain. Dry well between layers of paper towels.
• In a saucepan at least 3 ½ inches deep, heat 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees. Working in very small batches fry leeks (oil will bubble up quite high) until golden, about 10-15 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to paper towels to dry. Season leeks with salt.
• Leeks may be fried a day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Serve on top of soup.

CREAMY KENTUCKY GRITS TOPPED WITH A RAGOUT OF LOCAL SHIITAKES AND THYME, TOPPED WITH KENNY'S GOUDA AND FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Creamy Grits: Bring stock and milk to a boil. Turn down to low, and slowly whisk in the grits. Cook, stirring occasionally for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper, and cover (for approximately 15 minutes) while making the ragout.
• Mushroom Ragout: In a skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of the butter, add the sliced shiitakes and cook slowly, until softened and slightly browned. Add 2 more tablespoons of butter, and then add shallots, leeks, garlic, and thyme. Saute until soft; then add Dijon mustard and demi-glace. Stir in 2 more tablespoons of butter.
• Ladle the grits out onto warmed plates, and spoon the ragout over the grits. Top with gouda, grated, and frizzled leeks. Garnish with fresh watercress and serve at once.
• Season the flour with salt and pepper. Toss the leek slivers in the seasoned flour, and deep fry in canola oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and keep warm in low oven.

SUNDAY FRITTATA WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. In an ovenproof skillet, sauté the leeks in 2 tablespoons olive oil over very low heat (just the hint of a sizzling sound) for about 10 to 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
• 3. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• 4. In the same ovenproof skillet, add remaining olive oil and heat for 30 seconds. Pour in whisked eggs.
• 5. Adjust heat to low (just above simmer), and let the eggs begin to set, undisturbed for a minute.
• 6. Remove skillet from stove, and place in the top third of the oven.
• 7. After 3 or 4 minutes, check to see how cooked the eggs are. They should still be slightly runny in the middle.
• 8. Taking a small handful at a time, distribute the leeks over the eggs and continue to cook.
• 9. After 2 more minutes, turn the oven to broil setting. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the entire surface of the eggs.
• 10. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes. The frittata will puff up, and the edges should be golden brown.
• 11. Season with black pepper and salt.
• 12. Cut into pielike wedges, and serve.

3-INGREDIENT LEMONY GREEN BEANS WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cook green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain, then immediately transfer to a large bowl filled with ice water. Drain again and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, zest lemons to yield 1 Tbsp. zest. Juice lemons to yield 1/4 cup juice, then slice any remaining lemons into wedges. Cut leeks crosswise into 4" sections, then thinly slice lengthwise into matchsticks.
• Heat oil in a large deep-sided skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Cook half of leeks, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels; season with salt. Repeat with remaining leeks; reserve oil in skillet.
• Cook green beans, pepper, lemon zest, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in reserved oil over medium heat, tossing occasionally, just until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and toss to coat, then transfer to a platter. Drizzle about 1/2 cup oil from pan over; reserve remaining oil for another use. Top with leeks and serve with lemon wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Green beans can be blanched 1 day ahead; let dry, then transfer to an airtight container and chill.

CARAMELIZED ONION DIP WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Put the onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook, stirring infrequently, until the onions are dry and almost sticking to the pan, about 20 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the oil and a large pinch of salt and turn the heat down to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding just enough additional oil to keep them from sticking without getting greasy. The onions are ready when they're dark, sweet and jammy, 40 minutes to 1 hour later.
• Sprinkle with black pepper, stir in the thyme and remove the onions from the heat. When they're cool, fold them into the yogurt and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. (At this point, you can cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)
• Wipe or wash out the skillet and put it over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil. A few seconds later, add half the leeks, turn the heat up to high and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to turn the leeks over as they cook. Be careful: they will go from not-browned to burnt pretty quickly, and you want to catch them in between those stages, when they're browned and crisp. Transfer the leeks to paper towels to drain and repeat with the remaining leeks, adding more oil to the pan if necessary to keep them from sticking.
• Garnish the onion dip with the crisp leeks and serve immediately with crudités or crackers.