Frizzled Leeks Food

FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut leeks lengthwise into thin strips. Wash leeks and drain. Dry well between layers of paper towels.
• In a saucepan at least 3 ½ inches deep, heat 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees. Working in very small batches fry leeks (oil will bubble up quite high) until golden, about 10-15 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to paper towels to dry. Season leeks with salt.
• Leeks may be fried a day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Serve on top of soup.

3-INGREDIENT LEMONY GREEN BEANS WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cook green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain, then immediately transfer to a large bowl filled with ice water. Drain again and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, zest lemons to yield 1 Tbsp. zest. Juice lemons to yield 1/4 cup juice, then slice any remaining lemons into wedges. Cut leeks crosswise into 4" sections, then thinly slice lengthwise into matchsticks.
• Heat oil in a large deep-sided skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Cook half of leeks, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels; season with salt. Repeat with remaining leeks; reserve oil in skillet.
• Cook green beans, pepper, lemon zest, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in reserved oil over medium heat, tossing occasionally, just until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and toss to coat, then transfer to a platter. Drizzle about 1/2 cup oil from pan over; reserve remaining oil for another use. Top with leeks and serve with lemon wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Green beans can be blanched 1 day ahead; let dry, then transfer to an airtight container and chill.

SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH MATCHSTICK FRIES AND FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Peel and quarter the sweet potatoes.
• Wash the leeks well, and drain. Remove any damaged outside peel, remove the hairy white tips from the end, and cut the leeks into 1-inch slices. Leave 1 (3-inch) section aside to be fried for the garnish. In a large pot, cook the leeks with the butter until soft. Do not brown. Add the stock or water.
• Add the sweet potatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and boil until cooked through, just softer than fork tender.
• Using an immersion blender, puree the ingredients until they are thoroughly blended. Add the grated ginger, and test for consistency. If too thick, add a bit more water. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper, as needed. Ladle the soup into warm bowls, and garnish with a mound of hot crispy matchstick potatoes and frizzled leeks.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.)
• To make matchstick fries: Peel and cut potatoes into matchstick slices. Rinse them under cold water in a strainer to remove the excess starch. Let drain well, and pat dry. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes submerged in canola oil, until they are a nice deep golden brown. Drain the potatoes on a paper towel or absorbent cloth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while hot.
• To make 'frizzled leeks': Cut the 3-inch piece of leek into matchstick slices similar to the potato. Place the potato starch in a small bowl, lightly dust the leek pieces in it to help prevent them from burning. Fry the strips of leek in the same hot oil used for the potatoes, until they are just golden, about 1 minute
• Add to the bowl of matchstick fries. Mix them together. Garnish in a little mound on top of the soup.

CREAMY KENTUCKY GRITS TOPPED WITH A RAGOUT OF LOCAL SHIITAKES AND THYME, TOPPED WITH KENNY'S GOUDA AND FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Creamy Grits: Bring stock and milk to a boil. Turn down to low, and slowly whisk in the grits. Cook, stirring occasionally for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper, and cover (for approximately 15 minutes) while making the ragout.
• Mushroom Ragout: In a skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of the butter, add the sliced shiitakes and cook slowly, until softened and slightly browned. Add 2 more tablespoons of butter, and then add shallots, leeks, garlic, and thyme. Saute until soft; then add Dijon mustard and demi-glace. Stir in 2 more tablespoons of butter.
• Ladle the grits out onto warmed plates, and spoon the ragout over the grits. Top with gouda, grated, and frizzled leeks. Garnish with fresh watercress and serve at once.
• Season the flour with salt and pepper. Toss the leek slivers in the seasoned flour, and deep fry in canola oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and keep warm in low oven.

FRIZZLED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH ROASTED ROMANESCO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the romanesco with half of the lemon juice, some olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Put on a baking sheet and place into the oven. Roast until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and bring to medium heat. When the garlic has turned a lovely golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, remove it from the pan and ditch it - it has fulfilled its garlic destiny!
• Add the Brussels sprouts and toss to combine. Season with salt, and cook until the sprouts have wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the lid, raise the heat to medium-high and let the sprout leaves brown and frizzle, about 5 minutes more. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• Toss with the pomegranate seeds, roasted romanesco and remaining lemon juice.

CURRIED SQUASH SOUP WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Make soup:
• In a large bowl of water wash leeks and drain by lifting leeks from water into a colander. In a heavy kettle cook onion in butter over moderately low heat, stirring until softened. Add leeks and salt to taste and cook, stirring, until softened. Add curry powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining soup ingredients and simmer, covered, 30 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.
• Cool soup slightly and in a blender or food processor purée in batches, transferring as puréed to a bowl. Season soup with salt and pepper. Soup may be made 5 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, before chilling, covered. Reheat soup, thinning with water if desired.
• Make frizzled leeks:
• Cut leeks lengthwise into thin strips. In a bowl of water wash leeks and drain by lifting leeks from water into a colander. Dry leeks very well between layers of paper towels.
• In a saucepan at least 3 1/2 inches deep heat 1 inch oil to 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer. Working in very small batches fry leeks (oil will bubble up quite high) until golden, about 10 to 15 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Season frizzled leeks with salt. Leeks may be fried 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Serve soup topped with frizzled leeks.

SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH MATCHSTICK FRIES AND FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Peel and quarter the sweet potatoes. Wash the leeks well, and drain. Remove any damaged outside peel, remove the hairy white tips from the end, and cut the leeks into 1-inch slices. Leave 1 (3-inch) section aside to be fried for the garnish. In a large pot, cook the leeks with the butter until soft. Do not brown. Add the stock or water. Add the sweet potatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and boil until cooked through, just softer than fork tender. Using an immersion blender, puree the ingredients until they are thoroughly blended. Add the grated ginger, and test for consistency. If too thick, add a bit more water. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper, as needed. Ladle the soup into warm bowls, and garnish with a mound of hot crispy matchstick potatoes and frizzled leeks.
• Matchstick Fries and Frizzled Leeks:.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.) To make matchstick fries: Peel and cut potatoes into matchstick slices. Rinse them under cold water in a strainer to remove the excess starch. Let drain well, and pat dry. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes submerged in canola oil, until they are a nice deep golden brown. Drain the potatoes on a paper towel or absorbent cloth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while hot. To make 'frizzled leeks': Cut the 3-inch piece of leek into matchstick slices similar to the potato. Place the potato starch in a small bowl, lightly dust the leek pieces in it to help prevent them from burning. Fry the strips of leek in the same hot oil used for the potatoes, until they are just golden, about 1 minute Add to the bowl of matchstick fries. Mix them together. Garnish in a little mound on top of the soup.

SUNDAY FRITTATA WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. In an ovenproof skillet, sauté the leeks in 2 tablespoons olive oil over very low heat (just the hint of a sizzling sound) for about 10 to 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
• 3. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• 4. In the same ovenproof skillet, add remaining olive oil and heat for 30 seconds. Pour in whisked eggs.
• 5. Adjust heat to low (just above simmer), and let the eggs begin to set, undisturbed for a minute.
• 6. Remove skillet from stove, and place in the top third of the oven.
• 7. After 3 or 4 minutes, check to see how cooked the eggs are. They should still be slightly runny in the middle.
• 8. Taking a small handful at a time, distribute the leeks over the eggs and continue to cook.
• 9. After 2 more minutes, turn the oven to broil setting. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the entire surface of the eggs.
• 10. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes. The frittata will puff up, and the edges should be golden brown.
• 11. Season with black pepper and salt.
• 12. Cut into pielike wedges, and serve.