Leeks With Greens Food

LEEKS WITH GREENS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large frying pan and sweat the leeks for 6-8 minutes until tender.
• Meanwhile, steam the greens over boiling water for about 2 minutes.
• If you prefer, you can also lightly saute them in the frying pan.
• Combine the leeks and the greens and season.
• The leeks should be soft and the greens still fairly crunchy.

LEEK & GREENS LASAGNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Heat 1 tbsp oil with the butter over a medium heat. Add the bay leaf, rosemary and finely sliced leek, season and cook for a few mins until the leek has softened.
• Add the flour and cook for 1 min more until the roux smells nutty. Take off the heat, slowly pour in the milk and whisk out any lumps.
• Return to the heat and whisk slowly until thick and smooth, about 5 mins. Season well with grated nutmeg, then add 3/4 of the cheddar and parmesan, cooking until they are melted. Set aside.
• In another pan, heat 2 tbsp oil over a medium heat and fry the garlic and chilli for a couple of mins until aromatic. Add the rest of the leeks, season and fry until softened, then add the mixed greens and season a little more. Cook, stirring, until the greens have wilted, about 4 mins, then pour in the wine and cook until it evaporates.
• Oil a medium roasting tin (about 20cm square) and tip half the greens into the tin. Dot half the walnuts over the top, and nestle in a third of the artichoke hearts. Dot over half the ricotta. Remove the bay leaf from the leek bechamel and pour over a third of it. Top with three lasagne sheets to cover everything in a at layer. Repeat the process, then cover the top layer of lasagne sheets with the remaining bechamel and artichokes and scatter over the remaining cheese. Bake in the oven for 30-40 mins, until golden and bubbling. Rest for 10 mins, then serve with a sharply dressed grated carrot and beetroot salad.