Grilled Braised Leeks Recipes

TURKISH-STYLE BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut the leeks crosswise into pieces about 2 inches long, then slice in half lengthwise. Wash the leeks very well.
• In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the leeks, oil and carrots over medium-high heat. Stir gently every once in a while, until the leeks are slightly softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the stock or water, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until leeks are very tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and olives and continue to simmer, uncovered, until the liquid is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature, uncovered, about 45 minutes. Stir in the parsley, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

SIMPLE BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Remove outer leaves; cut dark-green ends from leeks. Trim roots, keeping leaves attached. Halve lengthwise; rinse to remove grit.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks to pan and arrange cut side down in a single layer. Cook until softened and light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn leeks and cook on the other side until softened, 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks again so they are cut side down and peel off any papery outer layers. Add stock and wine, stirring to deglaze pan. Cook for 1 minute. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover with a parchment paper round. Cook until the leeks are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes.
• Remove parchment, raise heat, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse salt and parsley; serve.

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.

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.

GRILLED MUSHROOMS AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Quarter 2 trimmed leeks lengthwise; cut into 2-inch pieces.
• In bowl, toss 1 1/2 pounds button mushrooms with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place in hot wok; cook until tender, 10 minutes.
• In bowl, toss leeks with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing, until lightly charred, 15 to 25 minutes. Dust with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.

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.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet.
• Add garlic and heat slowly until it begins to flavor oil, about 2 minutes.
• Add leeks and carrots, tossing gently to coat with oil and garlic.
• Add 2TB water, reduce heat, cover, and cook about 20minutes until leeks and carrots are soft.
• Remove lid, increase heat, and stir vegetable mix until thoroughly cooked, and most of the moisture is removed.
• Serve hot as an interesting side dish.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Prepare the grill for direct grilling and heat over high.
• Working on a large baking sheet, brush the zucchini all over with oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
• Once the grill is heated, add the zucchini to the grates in an even layer, leaving about 1 inch between to avoid crowding. Cook, uncovered, until grill-marked and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (The zucchini should tenderize in just the amount of time it takes to develop grill marks.)
• In a small bowl, stir the ricotta, if using, with a couple tablespoons of water until extra creamy; season with salt and pepper. Spread the ricotta mixture on a platter, then top with the grilled zucchini, piling it organically to gain some height. Though you need no garnish, you can top with fresh herbs, capers, a flurry of lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice if you are feeling fancy. Drizzle with olive oil and serve warm or at room temperature.

GRILLED BRAISED SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• Place 2 cloves garlic and some coarse salt in a mortar, and pulverize to a paste. Rub meat with paste and sprinkle with pepper. Set aside 1 hour.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy saucepan. Add carrots, onions, leeks and remaining garlic. Sauté over low heat until soft but not brown. Stir in thyme and bay leaf. Add wine and vinegar, bring to simmer, transfer to bowl. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Place ribs and wine mixture in a large heavy-duty plastic bag. Seal well, and refrigerate 8 to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Remove ribs from marinade, scraping off vegetables. Pour marinade with vegetables into saucepan. Add stock and bring to simmer.
• Pat ribs dry; season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in large skillet, add ribs and quickly brown on all sides. Transfer to roasting pan. Pour heated marinade over ribs, cover with parchment paper and foil, and roast 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until fork-tender. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 minutes.
• Remove ribs from liquid. Remove bones, and trim all gristle and surface fat, keeping meat in one large slab. (Meat can now be refrigerated up to 3 days before grilling.)
• Strain liquid and skim off grease. (If ribs won't be grilled immediately, liquid can be refrigerated until fat solidifies to simplify removal.) Boil down strained liquid until reduced to barely 1 cup and slightly thickened. Remove from heat, and whisk in butter bit by bit. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and keep warm.
• To serve, slice slab of meat in half horizontally with a large knife, and cut each piece into two or three portions. Place meat on grill or in grill pan over high heat, and sear briefly on both sides until heated through, lightly browned and traced with grill marks. Serve drizzled with sauce.