Butternut Squash Leeks Food

CURRIED MUSSELS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the squash and leeks and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks start softening, about 3 minutes.
• Add the curry powder, ginger and lime zest and stir to coat. Reduce the heat to medium low and add 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook until the squash is almost tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the heavy cream to the pot, then stir in the mussels. Increase the heat to medium, cover and simmer until the mussels open, 5 to 6 minutes. (Discard any unopened mussels.) Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Serve with the bread.

BUTTERNUT GRATIN WITH LEEKS, SAGE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Peel and thinly slice the butternut squash into 18 -inch thick rounds. When you get to the seeds, scoop them out and continue slicing. Set aside 12-15 of the "prettiest" slices for the top of the gratin. ( There will be 3 layers of butternut - so you could divide into 3, placing any misshapen pieces in the middle layer)
• Slice and rinse the leeks- the moisture here will help them soften. Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the leeks, for 8-10 minutes, covering part way through so they soften. Add the garlic, sage and a pinch of salt, cook 2-3 more minutes. Turn heat off.
• the cream with the salt, pepper, nutmeg and onion powder in a medium bowl.
• Grease a large 9 x 13-inch baking dish or 11-12 inch round baking dish. A big shallow pan is BEST here ensuring even cooking. Grease the pan, add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan. Layer with Butternut squash overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with half of the sauteed leeks. Drizzle with 1/3 cup cream mixture. Sprinkle with one ounce of Gruyere (about 3-4 tablespoons grated). Add the 2nd layer of butternut- using up any misshapen pieces here. Scatter with the remaining leeks. Drizzle with 1/3 cup cream mixture and sprinkle with grated gruyere cheese. Add the final layer of butternut, overlapping and pressing down so not domed in the middle. Drizzle the remaining cream mixture over top, lightly sprinkle with cheese and the walnuts. Give the pan a little shake, press down in the center again so gratin is level, not domed. Cover, using parchment first as a barrier, under the foil if the foil touches the top of the gratin.
• . Uncover, confirming the butternut is tender using the tip of a knife, then bake at 400 F uncovered, 15 minutes until beautifully golden.
• To make the crispy sage leaf garnish, heat 1-2 tablespoons oil or butter in a pan over medium heat, add 8 whole sage leaves, saute each side 30 seconds or so until crisp (try a tester first) and place on a paper towel to cool for a couple of minutes. Arrange over the gratin.

WILD RICE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, LEEKS, AND CORN

Steps:

• Rinse rice in strainer under cold water; drain. Bring 6 cups water and 2 teaspoons coarse salt to boil in large saucepan. Add rice; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until rice grains begin to split and are tender but still slightly chewy, about 45 minutes. Drain. Spread on rimmed baking sheet to cool. Transfer to bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil rimmed baking sheet. Toss squash cubes and 3 tablespoons oil in medium bowl. Spread squash in single layer on prepared sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast just until tender but firm enough to hold shape, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Transfer squash to bowl. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and 3/4 cup water; simmer until leeks are tender, about 7 minutes. Add corn; simmer 2 minutes longer. Add rice and butternut squash; simmer until heated through and liquid is absorbed, about 4 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

SPAGHETTI WITH BUTTERNUT LEEK PARMESAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add butternut squash and cook until soft.
• Remove squash with a slotted spoon and place in a blender, blend until smooth.
• Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions for al dente, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
• Meanwhile, in a large deep non-stick skillet, melt the butter, sauté the leeks and garlic over medium-low heat until soft and golden, about 5 - 6 minutes.
• Add pureed butternut squash, season with with salt and fresh cracked pepper and add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin out to your liking.
• Stir in parmesan cheese and sage and mix in pasta until well coated.
• Serve with additional parmesan cheese on the side.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Original recipe called for 400 - I think, like the one reviewer mentioned - may be too high. Maybe 375? Another thought is to maybe add the leeks a little into the cookiing -- the squash is definatly going to take longer to cook. Just some tweaking going on here. thanks for looking, and cooking!
• In a large bowl, mix the squash, leeks, herb, salt, pepper, olive oil and pecans (if your are using them) together.
• Place on a cookie sheet (may take 2) and cook for appx 1/2 hour.
• This is some really good stuff!
• Cook time is 1/2 hour, prep time is going to vary - the squash does take time, but well worth it.
• Edit to add that after peeling, seeding and halving/quartering the squash, put it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. This will help with dicing of the squash and help even out the cooking time with the leeks.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prep the butternut squash and toss with olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
• Evenly coat and spread out on a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish or sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. While squash is roasting, prep the remainder of this recipe. When roasted, set aside.
• In a large heavy saucepan, pot or dutch oven heat the butter on low heat. Add thyme, leeks, celery and onions, stirring occasionally until cooked soft and browned, about 10 minutes. Remove thyme sprigs (if using).
• Stir in squash, garlic, apples, ginger, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, 20-30 minutes.
• Using a stick blender (or in blender by batch), puree the mixture until smooth. When using a blender or food processor for hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, crack one corner of the lid open. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.
• Return soup to pot with low heat and mix in sherry/wine, cream, additional salt and pepper to taste. Heat until simmer.
• Ladle hot soup into bowls for serving. Garnish with chopped walnuts, chives or a fresh grated nutmeg.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, APPLE AND LEEK GRATIN

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the 1-1/2 cups breadcrumbs with 3 tablespoons melted butter and pinenuts; set aside.
• Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
• Heat 2-3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat; add in leeks and saute for about 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
• In a large bowl combine the cubed squash with sauteed leeks, apple, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg and black pepper; toss to combine.
• Spoon into the prepared casserole dish; pour the apple juice or apple cider over the mixture.
• Cover with foil and bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
• Uncover the casserole and sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb/pine nut mixture over the top, then return to oven uncovered for another 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Delicious!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, LEEK AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the potato, bay leaf, garlic, rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, until the potatoes are well coated, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and 1 cup of water and bring to a simmer.
• Add the butternut squash and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer. Remove from the heat, and let cool at least 5 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf and rosemary and carefully puree until smooth with a handheld immersion blender or in 2 to 3 batches in a blender (do not fill blender more than halfway full).
• Add the cream and chopped rosemary and reheat the soup if necessary. Adjust the consistency and seasoning with water, salt and pepper. Serve hot and garnish with more rosemary leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Note: When blending hot liquid, first let it cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters and pulse until smooth.

APPLE, LEEK, AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a 10-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add leeks and 2 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Add sherry and sage and cook until liquid is reduced to a glaze, about 3 minutes; set aside.
• In a 2-quart shallow baking dish, arrange squash in overlapping layers; season with salt and pepper. Spread leeks evenly over the squash.
• Arrange apples in an overlapping layer over the leeks. Brush apples with remaining tablespoon oil. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake 45 minutes.
• Uncover and sprinkle cheese over the top. Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees and bake 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is golden brown. The tip of a paring knife should easily pierce the gratin. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sage leaves.

SCALLOPED POTATOES AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Generously butter a 3 quart baking dish (at least 2 inches deep).
• In a skillet, cook leeks in 3 tablespoons butter over medium low heat, stirring, until very soft.
• In a saucepan, bring the milk just to boil (don't scald.just keep warm).
• In another heavy saucepan, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter over medium low heat and whisk in flour - cooking and constantly whisking for about 3 minutes.
• Add heated milk in a stream, whisking, and bring to a boil.
• Simmer this sauce, whisking, for 1 minute - or until thickened - and season with salt and pepper.
• Peel potatoes and slice 1/8 inch thick.
• Spread about 1/3 sauce in baking dish and cover with 1/3 potato and squash slices, overlapping them slightly.
• Cover slices with 1/3 leeks and sprinkle with 1/3 Gruyere.
• Make 2 more layers with sauce, potatoes and squash, leeks and Gruyere in the same manner.
• Bake, covered with foil, in middle of the oven for about 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake 30 minutes more, or until top is golden and vegetables are tender. Yum!
• *If you prepare this in advance you may need to bake it a little bit longer*.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large stockpot over medium heat. Add carrots, leeks, and onions. Cook and stir until softened and no longer crispy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add squash; saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cover.
• Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a skillet over medium heat. Gently fry bread until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add bread to the stockpot; stir in allspice and ginger. Cook, covered, until squash has softened, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add apple and brown sugar. Fry until apples are well browned and start to form a crispy crust, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Puree the contents of the stockpot using an immersion blender until smooth and free of chunks. Garnish soup with the caramelized apples.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Remove white papery skin from garlic head (do not peel or separate the cloves). Wrap in foil and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes.
• Separate cloves and squeeze to extract garlic. Discard skins.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over med-high heat.
• Add leek & sauté for 5 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in garlic, squash, water, broth, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until squash is tender.
• Place half the mixture in blender. Remove the center piece on blender lid to allow steam to escape. Cover the opening with a towel and blend until smooth.
• Repeat for remaining mixture.

RISOTTO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place squash on large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast until tender and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.
• Bring stock to simmer in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to very low; cover and keep stock warm.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in another heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks and sauté until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Add rice; stir 1 minute. Add wine and simmer until absorbed, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup hot stock; simmer until absorbed, stirring frequently. Add remaining stock 1/2 cup at a time, allowing stock to be absorbed before adding more and stirring frequently, until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, about 25 minutes longer. Add roasted squash, cream, Parmesan cheese and sage; stir until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm.