Leeks Veritablement A La Grecque Food

LEEKS A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Remove the outer leaves from the leeks, wash thoroughly and cut into 2.5 centimetre (1 inch) lengths.
• Place in a pan (preferably non-stick) with the remaining ingredients, adding salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
• Heat gently until the vegetables are simmering and simmer for 20 minutes.
• If serving warm, place in a serving dish, garnish with basil leaves - and serve.
• If serving cold, leave to cool in the liquid, then place in a serving dish, garnish with basil leaves - and serve.

LEEKS A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make 2 lengthwise slits in leek and rinse it in a bowl of water. Arrange leeks in a gratin pan. In a sauce pan combine water, olive oil, marjoram, cinnamon, red wine vinegar, oregano and salt to taste. Bring liquid to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Pour liquid over leeks to just cover. Arrange a piece of foil over dish and bake 35 minutes, or until tender. Transfer leeks to a serving plate. Reduce cooking liquid to 1/2 cup and strain over leeks. Chill, covered, 2 hours or overnight. Before serving, garnish with tomatoes, olives, cheese and fresh herbs.
• Recommended Drink: Ouzo

MOUSSAKA A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant and slice it crosswise 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides of each slice lightly with salt, arrange in 1 layer on paper towels and let drain for 30 minutes.
• In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat; add as many slices as will fit in 1 layer and brown on both sides. Repeat the procedure with 4 tablespoons of the remaining oil and the remaining eggplant. Drain the eggplant as they are cooked on paper towels.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion to the skillet and cook until the onions are brown. Add the ground meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink. Combine the tomato paste with the wine, parsley, and cinnamon. Add this mixture to the skillet and simmer over low heat, stirring often, until all the liquid has evaporated. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a sauce pan, over low heat, melt the butter, add the flour and whisk for 5 minutes. Turn up the heat to moderate and add the milk in a stream, whisking. Simmer for 5 minutes, add salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat. Cool slightly and stir in the eggs, nutmeg, and ricotta.
• Grease and 11 by 16-inch pan and sprinkle the bottom lightly with bread crumbs. Arrange alternating layers of eggplant and meat sauce in the pan, sprinkling each layer with Parmesan and bread crumbs. Pour the egg sauce over the top and bake one hour in a preheat 350 degree oven, or until top is golden. Let cool twenty minutes before slicing.

VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large saucepan over moderate heat; add the fennel and onion.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, coriander seeds, and tomatoes and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender and any liquid has disappeared.
• In a separate pan steam the cauliflowers and green beans until just tender.
• Once the fennel and tomato mixture is ready, add the mushrooms and cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in the cauliflowers and green beans, and season with salt and black pepper.
• Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm or cool.

VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Prepare vegetables: In colander, under cold running water, wash green beans; drain well. Cut off ends, leaving beans whole. Set aside. Wash and pare carrots; with sharp knife, cut crosswise into 4-inch pieces; then slice lengthwise into strips 1/2-inch wide.
• Trim root ends of leeks; cut off tops, leaving 1 to 3 inches of green stem; discard tops. With sharp knife, cut in half lengthwise. Wash under cold running water to remove any sand. Wipe mushrooms with damp paper towels; trim the stem ends; cut in half lengthwise.
• Wash zucchini; trim ends; cut into 3-inch pieces; then slice into strips 1/2-inch wide.
• Prepare cooking liquid: In large 10-inch skillet, combine water, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, green onion, salt, peppercorns, thyme and parsley sprigs. Over medium heat, bring to boiling. Add the leeks; simmer, covered, until tender - about 5 minutes. With slotted spoon, remove leeks to shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling. Add carrots; simmer, covered, 10 minutes or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to the shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling.
• Add green beans; simmer, covered, 7 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove beans to shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling. Add zucchini; simmer, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to the shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling.
• Add mushrooms; simmer, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to dish. Arrange vegetables in serving dish.
• Reduce liquid to 2/3 cup; spoon over vegetables. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot as side dish or chilled as appetizer.

MUSHROOMS A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Cut a cross on the base of the tomatoes, immerse them in boiling water for 20-30 seconds, then plunge them into cold water; drain and peel the skin away from the cross and, discarding the juice the and seeds (see notes below), finely chop the tomatoes.
• Place the tomatoes, oil, wine, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and basil to a non-aluminium pan, add about 1 cup of water and bring to the boil; then cover and simmer for 10 minutes; then uncover the pan, add the mushrooms and simmer for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Lift out the mushroom with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a serving dish.
• Boil the cooking liquid rapidly until about 1 cup remains, remove the bay leaf, add the lemon juice and season with salt, pepper and sugar, to taste.
• Pour the liquid over the mushrooms, and leave the mushrooms to cool.
• Serve the mushrooms cold, sprinkled with the chopped parsley and the walnuts.
• Notes: Rather than wasting such juices or vegetable peelings, I add them to my container of ingredients for when I next make my Vegetable Stock Recipe #135453.