Chardonnay Poached Leeks And Creme Fraiche Dressing Food

LEEKS WITH CHARDONNAY AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Cut dark green parts off the leeks and discard. Remove any damaged outer leaves. Cut leeks in half lengthwise and slice into 1/2-inch strips on the diagonal. Transfer to a colander. Separate slices and rinse thoroughly to remove dirt. Drain.
• Place leeks in a pot over medium-high heat. Pour in Chardonnay and sugar. Cook, stirring often, until leeks are soft and tender and wine has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in creme fraiche and season with salt and pepper.

CHARDONNAY POACHED LEEKS AND CREME FRAICHE DRESSING

Steps:

• Wash the leeks thoroughly and trim of the very tough green tops and the woody base.
• Make sure you have some of the green as well as the white of the leeks.
• Cut the leeks into 1" diagonal slices.
• Put into a large saucepan and add the Chardonnay or white wine.
• Add the sugar and stir around.
• Bring to the boil, without a lid.
• Turn the heat right down, put the lid on and simmer very gently for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the leeks still hold their shape & colour, but are soft. (Cooking times vary on whether the slices are 1" or smaller/larger!).
• Add the creme fraiche, pepper & salt and mix gently.
• Serve with some chopped parsley as a garnish, making sure everyone gets some of the wine & cream sauce!
• N.B. Grated lemon is also very nice as a finishing touch, especially if you are serving it with fish.

NORMANDY-STYLE CHICKEN AND LEEKS WITH CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Season chicken all over with salt and pepper. Melt butter with the oil in a large enameled cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just bubbling. Add half the chicken pieces, skin sides down; cook, turning once, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken pieces to a plate; set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces; add to plate. Remove pot from heat; let cool slightly.
• Return pot to medium-low heat, and add leeks. Cook, stirring frequently, until leeks begin to soften and are pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add hard cider and thyme. Move leeks to edges of pot, and add all the chicken pieces to pot, skin sides down. Arrange leeks over chicken. Cover, and cook 15 minutes (if liquid is bubbling rapidly, reduce heat to low). Turn chicken pieces, and cook until breasts are cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken breasts to a plate, and cover to keep warm. Adjust leeks so they are submerged in liquid. Cook, uncovered, until the remaining chicken pieces are tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer all of the chicken to a warm serving platter. Remove leeks from pot, and arrange them around the chicken. Cover to keep warm. Return pot to medium heat. Cook, uncovered, until liquid has reduced by about half (to a scant 2/3 cup), 8 to 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk in the creme fraiche and parsley. Ladle pan sauce over chicken and leeks. Serve immediately.

LEEKS AND CARROTS IN CHARDONNAY CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Using bacon drippings, sauté leeks, carrots and rosemary until leeks are opaque. About 15 minute.
• Deglaze pan with half of the wine and simmer until reduced and cooked into the leeks(about 10 minutes).
• Add the cream and simmer, covered, until leeks and carrots are tender.
• Add the remaining wine and bacon that had been set aside and simmer until reduced to desired consistency and tenderness.
• This takes me about 20 minutes as we like our leeks really tender, but the carrots turn out al-dente.
• **NOTE: If you prefer carrots that are softer, then parboil them prior to sautéing.
• The timing is an estimate as I really wasn't planning on posting this, but after we ate it I figured it deserved a place on here :-). ENJOY!