Grilled Leeks With Leek Tomato Salad And Citrus Dressing Recipe 485 Food

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.

GRILLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Bring white wine, clam juice, garlic, onion and butter to a simmer. Add leeks and braise for 20 minutes, let cool in liquid. Cut lengthwise. Whisk together the olive oil and garlic in a large bowl, and the leeks and let marinate 1 hour. Preheat grill. Grill until golden brown.

LEEK AND TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350. Trim the leeks of the hard green parts and outer skin, and wash them well. If they're fat, quarter them the long way. Chop the tomatoes and put them in a gratin dish long enough to hold the leeks but narrow enough so that everything is snug. Add the oil and nestle the leeks in there; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bake, checking and stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes become saucy and the leeks are very, very tender, about an hour. If you like, sprinkle with Parmesan and raise the heat until the cheese melts and browns a bit. Otherwise, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot or warm.