Japanese Leeks With Miso Mustard Food

JAPANESE 'LEEKS' WITH MISO-MUSTARD

Steps:

• Wash and trim negi. Cut them to divide the white bottoms from the more tender green tops.
• In a covered bamboo steamer set over rapidly boiling water, steam white bottoms for about 4 minutes. Add green tops and continue steaming for another 4 minutes, until negi are tender. Set aside uncovered to cool.
• Stir together mustard, miso and vinegar. Transfer negi to a serving bowl and gently fold in dressing.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH MUSTARD CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200ºC.
• Spread the chopped butter and oil over the base of a roasting pan large enough to hold the leeks in one layer.
• Add the leeks and roast for 10 minutes.
• Remove the leeks from the oven and turn them over in the pan.
• Roast for a further 10 minutes.
• Remove the leeks from the oven and add the stock.
• Roast for another 10 minutes or until the leeks have started to brown slightly and the stock has reduced.
• Remove the leeks from the oven and keep warm on the serving dish by covering them with aluminium foil.
• MAKING THE MUSTARD CREAM: Melt the remaining 50g of butter in a small sauté pan over a medium heat.
• Add the shallots and sauté for 5 minutes or until softened.
• Increase the heat a little, add the wine and slowly bring to the boil.
• Simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
• Stir in the cream and simmer gently until the sauce begins to thicken.
• Stir in the mustard.
• Add half the chives and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the leeks with the mustard cream and garnish with the remaining chives.
• Serve.

LEEKS WITH MISO DRESSING, EGGS & KETA

Steps:

• Trim the leeks, remove the outer leaves and cut them into 3cm lengths. Wash well, but keep them intact. Mix together the mustard, miso, rice vinegar, mirin and honey. Season with pepper but be careful with the salt (the mustard and the miso makes the dressing salty anyway).
• Steam the leeks in a steamer until they are tender to the point of a knife (but not collapsing), about 12-15 mins. Remove from the steamer and blot the leeks with a clean tea towel to remove excess moisture. Leave them to cool. Boil the eggs for about 7 mins, run under cold water and leave to cool.
• Cook the sushi rice according to pack instructions. Peel the eggs and slice each in half. Tip the leeks into a large bowl and toss them in the dressing.
• Divide the rice between four bowls, each topped with the dressed leeks. Add two egg halves on top, then a spoonful of the keta. Serve immediately.

JAPANESE TURNIPS WITH MISO

Steps:

• Stir together miso and 2 tablespoon butter.
• Discard turnip stems and coarsely chop leaves. Halve turnips (leave whole if tiny) and put in a 12-inch heavy skillet along with water, mirin, remaining tablespoon butter, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then boil, covered, 10 minutes.
• Add greens by handfuls, turning and stirring with tongs and adding more as volume in skillet reduces. Cover and cook 1 minute. Uncover and continue boiling, stirring occasionally, until turnips are tender and liquid is reduced to a glaze, about 5 minutes. Stir in miso butter and cook 1 minute.

LEEKS WITH MUSTARDS AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the leeks in a pan of cold salted water, bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes until just tender.
• Drain and put under cold water immediately to refresh and stop the cooking process.
• Place the butter, flour and milk in a saucepan and slowly bring up to the boil whisking all the time.
• Once it is up to the boil, reduce the heat and let it just simmer for 2 minutes.
• Add the grated cheddar and parmesan, then the mustards.
• Season with salt and pepper and the nutmeg.
• Put the leeks into a shallow serving dish and pour over the sauce.
• Mix the breadcrumbs and the cheese together and sprinkle over the top of the leeks.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.