Caramelized Leek Soup Food

LEEK & DELICATA SQUASH SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED APPLE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and gently scrape or cut squash away from skin (delicata skin is edible, but not tasty in this dish). Set aside.
• Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add leeks and thyme and stir occasionally until soft and brown, 10-15 minutes. Stir in the stock and the squash and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, puree the soup in batches in a standard blender or food processor).
• Season with salt and pepper & top with sour cream and caramelized apple croutons
• To make the croutons:.
• Peel and core apple and halve lengthwise. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, cut apple into very thin slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread one layer of apple slices on top. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake slices for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until crisp.
• Transfer to cooling racks and let cool completely.

CARAMELIZED LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Halve leeks lengthwise and thinly slice crosswise. In a large bowl of cold water wash leeks well and lift from water into a large sieve to drain. In a 6-quart heavy kettle cook leeks in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until some begin to turn golden, about 40 minutes. Stir in sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Stir in vermouth and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is evaporated and most leeks are golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Deglaze kettle with 1/2 cup broth and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes more, until liquid is evaporated and leeks are deep golden. Add remaining 3 cups broth and bring soup just to a boil. Season soup with salt and pepper.
• Serve soup, garnished with chives, with cheese toasts.

CARAMELIZED LEEKS OVER NOODLES

Steps:

• Split the leeks lengthways and wash each layer thoroughly.
• Slice across into thin strips, including the green part as well.
• Heat the oil and butter together over a gentle heat.
• When the butter has melted, add the leeks and toss well.
• Cook slowly, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the leeks start to soften.
• Sprinkle the sugar over all and, after a couple more minutes, mix well.
• Continue to cook for 15 to 30 minutes, until the leeks have begun to collapse into a sticky mass.
• Add small amounts of hot water if required to stop sticking.
• While the leeks are cooking, cook and drain the noodles.
• When the leeks are done, add the parsley, olive oil, cooked noodles and seasoning to taste.
• Toss well and serve.

CREAMY CARAMELIZED-ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks, garlic, shallots, and half of the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are deep golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Add vermouth, stock, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Let cool. Puree onion mixture in batches in a blender until smooth, about 3 minutes per batch. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and golden brown, about 45 minutes. Cover, and set aside.
• Return onion puree to saucepan. Stir in cream. Reheat over medium heat, stirring, until heated through but not boiling. Season with salt, if desired. Serve, topped with caramelized onions.

ONION, LEEK AND MUSHROOM SOUP (DIABETIC FRIENDLY)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook onion and leeks in hot oil, covered, for 13 to 15 minutes or until onions and leeks are tender, stirring occasionally. Uncover; stir in brown sugar. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes more or until onions and leeks are golden brown.
• Stir mushrooms and carrots into onion mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat about 3 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Stir in chicken broth, the 1-3/4 cups beef broth, cooked rice, sherry (if desired), and pepper.
• In a screw-top jar combine the 1/2 cup cold water and flour. Cover and shake until smooth; stir into the soup mixture. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Makes four 1-3/4-cup servings.

CARAMELIZED LEEKS WITH ROASTED SALMON FILLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Remove roots, outer leaves, and tops from leeks. Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse thoroughly with cold water, and cut each half into 3 inch julienne strips.
• Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks to pan; cook 4 minutes or until slightly wilted, stirring occasionally. Stir in brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook 20 minutes or until edges are browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat: stir in juice. Keep warm.
• Place salmon on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; sprinkle salmon with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper. Bake salmon at 400 degrees fro 8-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Place one filet on each of 4 plates; top with leek mixture.