Leek And Pea Dip Food

BUTTERED PEAS & LEEKS

Steps:

• Gently soften the leeks in butter and oil in your largest pan for 15-20 mins until almost meltingly soft. You can soften the leeks up to a day ahead, then just reheat in the pan before continuing the recipe. Stir in the stock, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 mins. Stir in the peas and spring onions for 3-5 mins more until the peas are defrosted and cooked through, then season and serve.

LEEK DIP

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the leeks, cream cheese, creamy salad dressing, vinegar, sugar, bacon bits, salt and pepper. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours, until well chilled.

LEEK AND PEA DIP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan on medium and add the leek and garlic, stir, cook stirring occasionally, for 6-7 minutes or until the leek is soft.
• Add the peas and stock to the pan and cover and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes or until the peas are just tender and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
• Put the leek mixture and chickpeas in a small food processor or use a handheld blender and blend until almost smooth (leave a little chunky).
• Transfer to a small serving bowl and add the mint and lemon juice and season with pepper and stir to combine.
• Top with mint to serve and accompany the dip with the asparagus, carrot, cucumber and celery sticks.
• NOTE - to blanch the asparagus, first fill a large bowl with iced water and set aside and then bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and add the asparagus and cook for 1 minute and then drain well and transfer to the iced water and set aside for 3 to 4 minutes or until well chilled and drain.

PEA AND LEEK DIP

Steps:

• Halve, slice, wash the leeks well and drain. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until softened but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the peas and continue cooking until the peas are thawed and bright green, about 3 minutes. Transfer the peas and leeks to a blender along with the sour cream, salt, parsley, and lemon. Blend on low until smooth. Garnish with the scallions.

LEEK, PEA & WATERCRESS SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic and fry for 7-10 mins or until softened and translucent.
• Pour in the hot stock and simmer for 5-10 mins. Stir through the watercress, reserving a few leaves for garnish, then the peas, and cook for 5 mins until wilted. Use a hand blender or processor and whizz until smooth. Stir through the lemon juice and zest, then season to taste. Stir through half the parsley. Ladle into bowls and top with the remaining parsley, reserved watercress and a drizzle of olive oil. Swirl through some crème fraîche, then serve with crusty bread, if you like.

PEA & LEEK SUPER-GREEN TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Lightly dust a surface with flour, then roll out the pastry into a circle. Use to line a 22cm tart tin (3cm deep) with a removable base. Trim away any excess pastry that hangs over the top and chill while you make the filling.
• Heat the butter in a frying pan, add the leek in a single layer and fry for a minute, then add 50ml water and cover with a lid. Cook over a low heat for 4 mins (check it doesn't dry out). Whisk the cream and egg together, then mix in the spinach and peas.
• Tip the pea mixture into the base of the tart and arrange the leek on top. (If you don't want the leeks on top, then stir them through the pea mixture.) Break the mozzarella pearls in half and dot them over the tart. Put the tart on the baking sheet and bake for 30 mins, or until the filling is cooked through. Leave to rest for 5 mins before cutting.

BRAISED LEEKS & PEAS

Steps:

• Discard outer, darker, tougher leaves from the leeks, then halve each into 2 shorter lengths and rinse under cold running water.
• Pour the chicken or veg stock into a large, wide shallow pan, then scatter in the garlic and thyme sprigs. Lay the leeks in the pan, trying not to crowd them, then season with pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 mins until almost tender. Tip in the peas, bring back to the boil and simmer for a further 5 mins until the veg is cooked. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the leeks, peas and garlic to a warm serving dish, season with extra pepper, drizzle over the olive oil and finish with a scattering of thyme leaves.

LEEKS & PEAS IN LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Boil the leeks in salted water for 6 mins until tender, but still holding their shape. Drain, leaving a little water in the pan, then return the leeks to the pan. Place over a low heat and stir in the peas and butter, cooking until the butter has melted and the peas are hot. Add the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and serve straight away.