Leek Sausage And Ricotta Focaccia Food

SAUSAGE AND LEEK CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed skillet on medium-high heat. Saute the leeks with a pinch of salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne. When the leeks are translucent raise the heat to high and add the sausage and cook for 8 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
• In a separate bowl whisk the eggs together with the cream, milk, the remaining cayenne, a pinch of black pepper and salt.
• Cut the baguette into cubes and put in the bottom of a 9 by 9-inch glass casserole dish. Sprinkle the bread with the Cheddar cheese. Pour the sausage and leek mixture and egg mixture on top. Top with pepper jack cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• The next morning remove from refrigerator. Put in the middle of the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife is removed cleanly from the middle. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

ONION-AND-LEEK FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Add flour to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. In a liquid-measuring cup, stir together water and yeast until yeast is dissolved. Add yeast mixture to flour and mix on medium speed until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk and bubbling, about 2 hours.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-low. Add onions and slowly cook until dark golden and caramelized, about 45 minutes. Let cool.
• Add salt and onions to dough and mix on low speed 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium and mix 30 seconds (dough should be loose and sticky).
• Using a dough scraper, turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Fold bottom edge of dough up toward center of dough and pat gently to deflate. Fold top edge down toward center, overlapping bottom edge slightly and pat gently. Repeat folding process 8 to 9 times, tapping off excess flour as you work (dough will be difficult to handle, but try not to incorporate too much flour). Gently transfer dough to a large bowl, seam-side down. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Turn dough out again onto a well-floured surface; repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 hour more.
• Place a pizza stone on floor of a gas oven with racks removed or bottom rack of an electric oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees at least 45 minutes (425 degrees if using a convection oven).
• Slice leeks lengthwise 1/4 inch thick. Rinse well and pat dry. Coat leeks, rosemary, and chives with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Use remaining 1/3 cup oil to coat surface of a 13-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet. Turn dough out onto sheet, coating bottom with oil. Using oiled fingertips, push dough out toward edges of sheet. If dough starts to retract, let stand 5 minutes, then continue until it reaches edges of sheet. Arrange leeks, chives, and rosemary lengthwise on dough, pressing gently to adhere. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand 45 minutes, occasionally pressing dough toward edges.
• Liberally sprinkle dough with flaky salt. Dough should be well oiled; if necessary, drizzle with up to 2 tablespoons more oil.
• Bake, rotating halfway through, until bottom is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Immediately slide focaccia out of pan onto a wire rack. Drizzle with any reserved oil in pan and sprinkle with more flaky salt. Let cool slightly. Foccacia may be served warm or at room temperature.

BOW TIES WITH SAUSAGE AND LEEK SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring the salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, prepare the leeks: Cut off and discard the top third of the rough green portion and the root ends. Remove any brown or wilted outer layers. Slice the remaining green and white parts into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Rinse the leek slices in several changes of cold water, swishing them around to remove all soil and grit.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Crumble the sausage meat into the skillet and cook, breaking up the lumps, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the leeks to the skillet and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shallots and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter, the peas, and stock. Heat to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, cover the skillet, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, stir the bow ties into the boiling water. When the water returns to a boil, uncover the pot. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente -- tender, but firm -- about 12 minutes. Drain the bow ties well and return them to a pot over low heat.
• Add the sausage and leek sauce to the pasta and toss well until the pasta is coated. Remove the pot from the heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the grated cheese, and toss well. Transfer to a warmed serving platter or individual bowls. Serve immediately, passing additional grated cheese on the side, if you like.

PASTA WITH LEEKS AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Cut the leek in half and clean well. Discard the bottom root part and the top green leaves. Slice into 1/2 inch thick slices.
• In a saucepan heat some water to cook the sausages. Prick the sausages and boil for about 5 minutes. Remove sausages and let cool.
• In a large skillet heat the olive oil and add garlic and leeks. Saute over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add the bouillon cube, spices, 1/2 cup water, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Slice the sausages and add to the leeks. Let cook together over for about 10 minutes.
• Toss this with cooked short pasta and serve.
• This is great with a tomato or carrot salad.