Turkish Braised Leeks With Olives Recipes

TURKISH LEEKS IN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Trim leeks and remove a few of the outer layers.
• Slice 3/4" thick, discard tough green leaves.
• Wash leeks well in several changes of water.
• In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil.
• Stir in leeks and carrots.
• Cover and cook very gently (low heat) for 30 minutes, shaking the skillet occasionally.
• Blend in the remaining ingredients in order.
• Cover and simmer for another 30 minutes, checking the liquid and adding more water, if necessary.
• When fully cooked, it should be very moist but not watery.

TURKISH BRAISED LEEKS WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the leeks and sauté in until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, stock, salt, pepper, and sugar.
• Cover and simmer until the leeks are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Add the olives and lemon juice and simmer another 10 minutes.
• Serve at room temperature as an appetizer or warm as a side dish.

BRAISED DUCK LEGS WITH LEEKS AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Trim the excess fat from duck legs. Several hours ahead or the night before, season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• In an ovenproof skillet just large enough to hold the duck legs comfortably, heat the olive oil. Add the leeks and carrot. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Stir in additional salt, thyme, parsley sprigs, bay leaf, and olives. Cook for 3 more minutes. Place the duck legs in the skillet, skin side down. Add to the skillet white wine and chicken broth with lemon zest.
• The liquid should be about 1 inch deep; add more liquid if needed. Raise the heat, bring to a simmer, and immediately put the skillet in the oven. After 30 minutes, take the pan from the oven and turn the legs skin side up. If necessary, pour off and reserve some of the liquid so that all the duck skin is exposed. Turn the oven down to 325°F and continue cooking for 1 to 1 1/2 hours more. The duck is done when the skin is browned and the tip of a knife slips easily in and out of the meat.
• Set the duck legs aside and pour the braising juices and vegetables into a small bowl. Allow the liquid to settle, then skim off and discard the fat. The duck legs will render a surprising amount of fat. Taste for salt and correct the seasoning if needed. If it's too thin, reduce the braising liquid to concentrate it. Pour the liquid and vegetables back into the skillet with the duck legs on top. Just before serving, return to a simmer and reheat for a few minutes.
• Variations
• · Pitted olives can be substituted, but use fewer, about 1/2 cup, and don't add them to the braise until the last 15 minutes of cooking.
• · Substitute dry sherry for half the wine.
• · Substitute dried fruit such as prunes or figs for the olives. Use red wine instead of white and add a piece of bacon or pancetta to the braise. Omit the lemon zest.
• · Substitute chicken legs for the duck legs. Reduce the cooking time by 30 minutes.

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.

WHITE FISH WITH BRAISED LEEKS AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Crush saffron and a pinch of kosher salt with a mortar and pestle (or with the side of a large knife) until combined. Stir in hot water; set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large straight-sided skillet or braiser pan over medium. Add leeks; season with kosher salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bright green and evenly coated, 3 to 4 minutes. Add vermouth and tomatoes; cook 1 minute.
• Add saffron water and broth; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer, partially covered, until leeks are completely tender, about 25 minutes.
• Season both sides of fish with kosher salt and lemon zest; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Nestle into leek mixture, cover, and cook until fish is opaque and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir remaining 1 tablespoon butter into broth. To serve, toss together herbs and sprinkle over fish, then drizzle with more oil and season with flaky salt.

ROASTED FISH WITH LEEKS AND OLIVE SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Season fish all over with salt and pepper, and set aside while you prepare the leeks.
• Cut the leeks into matchsticks: Place a leek half, flat side down, on a cutting board and cut it in half crosswise. Then slice the pieces lengthwise into thin (1/4-inch-thick) matchsticks. Repeat with remaining leeks.
• Spread leeks out on a rimmed baking sheet. Lightly drizzle them with oil and a pinch of salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Push aside the leeks to create 4 spaces in the center of the sheet pan just large enough for the fish fillets, then place the fillets in those cleared spaces. (Avoid putting the fish on top of the leeks, which won't cook as well if they're covered.)
• Drizzle fish with oil. Roast until the fish is opaque and just cooked through but not yet flaky, about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of fish. The leeks surrounding the fish will be soft and silky, while those at the edges of the pan may turn delightfully brown and crisp in spots. If the fish is done but you think the leeks need a little more time, transfer the fish to a serving platter, tent with foil to keep warm, and continue to cook the leeks for another few minutes.
• While the fish is in the oven, make the salsa verde: Using a fine rasp grater, grate 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest into a small bowl. Halve the lemon and squeeze in 1 tablespoon juice.
• Stir in olives, cilantro, garlic, red-pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Slowly drizzle in oil, stirring to combine. Taste and add more salt, red-pepper or another squeeze of lemon, if needed.
• Place fish on plates and surround with leeks. Top with olive salsa verde.