Leek Croustade Recipes

LEEK CROUSTADE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350F, 180C; lightly grease an 8 inch pie or flan dish.
• Place the bread crumbs, ground almonds and walnut pieces in a food processor and 'pulse' together until the walnuts are chopped small and an even crumb mixture is achieved; with the processor running slowly, pour the olive oil then the water down the feeding tube; process until the ingredients are well mixed and start to ball together as a 'dough'.
• Spoon the mix into the pie dish and using the back of a spoon, press the mix evenly over the base and up the sides; bake for about 10 minutes, until the crust starts to brown.
• Meanwhile, clean and slice the leeks (I like them cut in half lengthways then sliced 1/4 inch thick); in a large pan, cook the leeks gently in the oil, until they are just tender; spread the leeks evenly over the baked base.
• Next make a white sauce: melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and mix well together (a balloon whisk is great for this); slowly add the milk and keep stirring until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble; season the sauce.
• Pour the white sauce over the leeks then sprinkle the cheese over the top; return the pie to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

GREEK STYLE CROUSTADE

Steps:

• Cook spinach acc to pkg directions; drain well and squeeze out all liquid.
• In saucepan, cook onion in the 3 T butter; stir in flour, tarragon, and pepper.
• Add milk all at once;cook and stir until thick and bubbly.
• Stir half the hot mixture into eggs, return all to saucepan.
• Stir in spinach, cottage cheese and feta cheese.
• Brush 1 sheet of phyllo dough with butter, fold into thirds.
• Place one end in center of 14in pizza pan, extending sheet over the edge of the pan.
• Brush with butter.
• Repeat until all 10 sheets of dough are used.
• Make sure middle of pan is covered with dough.
• Place filling in an 8in circle at the center of pan.
• Starting with the last sheet you laid, lift end up and bring toward center, twist the end of the sheet, coil, and tuck under.
• Repeat with remaining sheets.
• Sheets will not meet in the center, center will be open.
• Drizzle any remaining butter over top.
• Bake at 375* for 35 minutes, until golden.
• Cut into wedges.