Melted Leeks With White Wine Braise Recipes

MELTED LEEKS WITH WHITE-WINE BRAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut off and discard the tough green tops of the leeks. Slice the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse well to remove grit. Cut the leeks on the diagonal into 1/2-inch slices, transfer to a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and toss them with the salt and pepper. Drizzle with the wine, dot with the butter and cover the dish tightly with foil.
• Place the leeks in the oven and bake until they are very soft, about 70 minutes. Serve 2 cups with the roasted chickens and refrigerate the remaining 2 cups for other uses.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH MUSTARD CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200ºC.
• Spread the chopped butter and oil over the base of a roasting pan large enough to hold the leeks in one layer.
• Add the leeks and roast for 10 minutes.
• Remove the leeks from the oven and turn them over in the pan.
• Roast for a further 10 minutes.
• Remove the leeks from the oven and add the stock.
• Roast for another 10 minutes or until the leeks have started to brown slightly and the stock has reduced.
• Remove the leeks from the oven and keep warm on the serving dish by covering them with aluminium foil.
• MAKING THE MUSTARD CREAM: Melt the remaining 50g of butter in a small sauté pan over a medium heat.
• Add the shallots and sauté for 5 minutes or until softened.
• Increase the heat a little, add the wine and slowly bring to the boil.
• Simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
• Stir in the cream and simmer gently until the sauce begins to thicken.
• Stir in the mustard.
• Add half the chives and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the leeks with the mustard cream and garnish with the remaining chives.
• Serve.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH LEMON

Steps:

• In a shallow dish soak leeks in cold water to cover 15 minutes, rubbing occasionally to remove any grit. In a heavy skillet melt butter over moderate heat. lift leeks out of the water and with water still clinging to them add to skillet. Cook leeks, stirring occasionally, five minutes and add broth and zest. Braise leeks, covered, 5 minutes, or until very tender, and season with salt and pepper.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cut the ends and the dark green leaves of the leeks, and cut in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes, then run under the faucet to remove any sand that may be lingering in between the layers. Peel off thick outer layers and discard.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet that will accommodate all of the leeks in one layer. Place the leeks in the pan, cut side down, and cook, shaking the pan and moving them around with tongs, until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the leeks over and cook on the other side until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks back over so that the cut side is down. Peel off the outer layers if they are papery, as they will not soften when the leeks are braised. Pour in the wine and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan, then add enough water or stock to come just to the top of the leeks. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the leeks are thoroughly tender when pierced with a knife. Most of the liquid should have evaporated by this time. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
• Transfer the leeks to an oiled ovenproof pan if your skillet cannot go under the broiler. Using tongs, turn the leeks so that the flat side is up. If there is still a lot of liquid in the pan, pour it off. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the leeks. Place under the hot broiler until the cheese has melted and is beginning to color. Remove from the heat and serve.

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.

LEEKS WITH CREAMY WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Clean the leeks using your tried & true method or trim off the root end and about 1/4 inch of the white base. Remove any ragged, coarse outer leaves and discard. Trim each of the darkest portion of the leaves down to the light green, more tender portion, leaving about 2 inches of green. Slice the leeks down the center and rinse under cold running water to remove all dirt and sand, being careful to get in between the leaves. Drain on paper towels and proceed with recipe.
• Cut leeks in half lengthwise then cut into thin half moon slices. Place in a colander & rinse again. (leeks seem to be sand magnets).
• Melt butter in a saucepan or large frying pan. Add leeks, wine, salt & garlic. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
• Add chicken stock & continue cooking until leeks are soft, another 10-15 minutes.
• Remove from heat & stir in the creme fraiche, parsley, lemon juice & Tabasco.