Cheesy Bacon And Leek Toast Food

LEEK, CHEESE & BACON TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a frying pan, then gently fry the leeks until soft, about 5 mins. Cool. Unroll the pastry onto a baking sheet. Spread the soft cheese over the pastry to within 3cm of the edges. Scatter over the leeks, bacon and grated emmental.
• Flip the edges of the pastry over the filling. Bake for 20 mins until golden.

BACON AND CHEDDAR TOASTS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Stir together cheese, bacon, onion, horseradish, salt, and pepper in a bowl with a rubber spatula until blended well.
• Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons mixture evenly to edges of each slice of bread with a small offset spatula or butter knife. Arrange slices in 1 layer on a large baking sheet and freeze, covered with wax paper, until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Trim crusts off bread and reserve for another use (see cooks' note, below), then cut each slice into 4 squares. Bake toasts on baking sheet until beginning to brown on edges, about 20 minutes.

CHEESY LEEK & BACON PUFF

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the bacon for 3-4 mins until it begins to crisp. Tip onto a plate lined with kitchen paper. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan with the butter and allow to melt before adding the leeks and thyme. Season and cook for 3-4 mins until softened. Place in a bowl with the crisp bacon and cheese, and allow to cool.
• Whisk the egg in a small bowl with 1 tsp water, to make an egg wash. Cut one-third off the pastry and, on a lightly-fl oured surface, roll out to make a 15cm x 30cm rectangle, and place on a baking sheet. This will form the base of the tart. Pile the leek mixture in the middle of the base, leaving a 2cm surround. Roll the remaining pastry into a larger rectangle which will cover the leek mixture easily. Brush the edges of the pastry base with egg wash, then carefully lay over the larger rectangle and smooth the surface to get rid of any trapped air. Cut away excess pastry to form a tidy edge and glaze with egg wash. With the back of a fork, press to seal the edges. Chill for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Brush the top of the pastry with more egg wash and season the top before baking. Cook for 10 mins, then reduce the heat to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and cook for 25-30 mins until puffed up and golden brown. Serve either hot or at room temperature.
• To make ahead, freeze at end of stage 2 for up to a month, or refrigerate for up to a day.

CHEESY LEEK & BACON PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the leeks and 2 tbsp water, and cook for about 10 mins until very soft. Add the bacon, turn up the heat and fry until cooked.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and reserve a mug of the cooking water.
• Spoon cheese into the leek and bacon mix, adding some of the reserved cooking water. Season and stir gently over a low heat until melted. Toss through the cooked pasta, adding a little more cooking water, if needed, to help the sauce coat the pasta.

CHEESY LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the leeks into a steamer basket and steam for 6-8 mins until bright green and just becoming tender.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and flour together in a saucepan, stirring until you have a thick paste. Add the milk, a splash at a time, stirring continuously until all the milk has been added. Cook for 2-3 mins more until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in most of the Yeo valley Organic mature cheddar, the mustard and some seasoning.
• Fold the steamed leeks into the cheese sauce, then tip everything into an ovenproof baking dish. Scatter over the breadcrumbs, thyme and remaining cheese, then bake for 20 mins until golden, crisp on top and bubbling at the edges. Leave to stand for 5 mins before serving.

CREAMED LEEKS WITH BACON & THYME

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the bacon for 5 mins, then turn down the heat, add the white wine and simmer to a glaze. Add the double cream and reduce by half. Add the leeks and simmer for 10 mins, then stir in the thyme leaves, cheddar and season.