Food Network Recipes Leeks

GRILLED BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high. Cut each leek in half lengthwise and rinse thoroughly to remove all dirt and sand. Pat dry. Brush the cut side of each leek half with the bacon drippings and sprinkle with kosher salt. Grill over direct, high heat, cut side down, with lid closed, approximately 6 to 7 minutes or until grill marks appear. Remove the leeks to a sheet of aluminum foil and lay cut side up. Brush the leeks with balsamic vinegar. Reassemble the leek halves together, wrap tightly in foil, and set back on the grill away from direct heat for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove the leeks from the foil and serve immediately, as is or with crumbled bacon and goat cheese.

LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil and season liberally with salt.
• Trim the leeks at the root ends, keeping the leeks intact. Cut the leeks where the light green meets the darker green. Save the darker green section for stock. Split the leeks in half lengthwise, again leaving the roots intact. Put the leeks in a large bowl of water and let it sit for a minute. Rinse the dirt from the insides of the leeks by lightly separating the layers and allowing the water to wash the dirt out. Tie the leeks in 3 places with butcher's twine to hold shut.
• Add the leeks to the pot of water and let it come back to a simmer. Boil the leeks until they are very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer them to paper towels and remove the twine. Separate each leek into 2 halves.
• In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, mustards, garlic, shallots and salt and pepper. Spread some of the vinaigrette on the bottom of an 8-inch square dish.
• While the leeks are still warm, remove the outer layer of each; lay the leeks cut-side down in the vinaigrette in the dish. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette over the leeks. Cover and chill the leeks in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Arrange the leeks on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Garnish with the hazelnuts, eggs and chives. Drizzle more vinaigrette over the leeks and serve.

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the bacon in a large heavy-bottomed ovenproof skillet and cook over medium-high heat until some of the fat renders, about 5 minutes. Push the bacon to the side of the pan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the pan and cook, turning, until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and leeks, then arrange the chicken on top of the bacon-leek mixture. Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter.
• Carefully return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spoon the leek mixture over the chicken. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
• Per serving: Calories 418; Fat 24 g (Saturated 8 g); Cholesterol 147 mg; Sodium 322 mg; Carbohydrate 14 g; Fiber 1 g; Protein 34 g

SAUTEED LEEKS

Steps:

• Thinly slice leeks. Use white and light green parts of leeks. Separate rings and place in colander. Rinse well and drain well. Try to get leeks as dry as possible.
• Heat olive oil and butter on med-high in frying pan large enough for all the leeks. Remember that they will wilt down!
• Add leeks to frying pan. Stir until all the leeks are coated with oil and butter. At this time, add tarragon, coriander and salt and pepper.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Stirring frequently, cook until leeks are close to caramelized, approximately 25 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy.

LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Saute the bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat until crisp, then remove it from the pan, drain on paper towels, and reserve for the garnish.
• Prep the remaining ingredients as directed in the recipe list.
• In the soup pot, reheat the bacon grease over medium heat and stir in the leeks, turning to coat them and sauteing for several minutes, until they take on a little golden color.
• Pour in the stock, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• Puree the soup, solids first, then pour back into the pot.
• Season with salt and pepper.

CREAMED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut off roots of the leeks and peel off any withered leaves. Cut off 2 inches from green tops. With a sharp knife slit the green parts in half lengthwise stopping an inch from root end. Make another slit, lengthwise and perpendicular. Spread leaves apart an rinse them under running water, carefully looking out for hidden grit. Cut leeks crosswise into 1 1/2-inch lengths.
• Heat butter in a saucepan and add the leeks. Toss to combine them with the butter. Add the broth, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until completely tender. You may do the recipe 2 to 3 days in advance up to this point. Over medium heat, evaporate the liquid from the leeks and when they are totally dry add heavy cream, starting with 1/4 cup or so and simmer, stirring continuously until the cream has been absorbed by the leeks. Add 1/4 cup more and repeat if you wish. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

CREAMY DIJON LEEKS

Steps:

• Halve 1 bunch leeks lengthwise, then cut into 3-inch pieces. Cook in a steamer basket until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Cook 1 minced shallot in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 minutes; season with salt. Add 1 tablespoon flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in 1 cup chicken broth and cook until thickened, 4 minutes. Whisk in 1 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard and 3 tablespoons minced parsley. Spoon over the leeks.

SALMON LEEK FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk the heavy cream, eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large bowl. Gently break up the salmon with a fork in another bowl. Fold the salmon and dill into the egg mixture. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a medium nonstick ovensafe skillet over medium high. Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and carefully pour in the egg mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula to evenly distribute the leeks. Sprinkle the goat cheese on top.
• Bake until the center of the frittata is just set, 22 to 24 minutes. Transfer the frittata with a rubber spatula to a serving platter or cutting board. Garnish with chopped dill, slice and serve.

ARCTIC CHAR EN PAPILLOTE WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 400˚ F. Tear off 4 sheets of parchment paper, 16 to 18 inches long each. Thinly slice 1 leek crosswise into half moons and divide among the parchment sheets, slightly off center. Top evenly with the thyme and parsley sprigs and 1 piece of butter each. Top each pile with a char fillet (if it's skin-on, place skin-side down) and season generously with salt and pepper. Top each fillet with another piece of butter and carefully pour about 2 tablespoons wine over each mound of ingredients.
• Fold the parchment over the fish. Starting at one corner, fold and pleat the parchment all the way around to the other corner, making sure the packet is well sealed. Carefully transfer the packets to 2 baking sheets. Bake until the fish is just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand 3 to 5 minutes, then carefully open the packets.
• While the fish cooks, cut the remaining leek crosswise to make 4 pieces, then slice lengthwise into thin strips. Put in a medium nonstick skillet with the olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Cook, tossing, until crisp and browned, 8 to 10 minutes, adding the sliced garlic for the last minute. Remove from the heat and season with salt. Top the fish with the crispy leeks and garlic and chopped parsley.

ROASTED LEEKS

Steps:

• Clean and trim the leeks, leaving some of the root on.
• Steam the leeks in water or wine until almost cooked.
• Place leeks on a hot grill. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook on each side for three to five minutes, or until they are slightly charred.