Leek Dressings Recipes

LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil and season liberally with salt.
• Trim the leeks at the root ends, keeping the leeks intact. Cut the leeks where the light green meets the darker green. Save the darker green section for stock. Split the leeks in half lengthwise, again leaving the roots intact. Put the leeks in a large bowl of water and let it sit for a minute. Rinse the dirt from the insides of the leeks by lightly separating the layers and allowing the water to wash the dirt out. Tie the leeks in 3 places with butcher's twine to hold shut.
• Add the leeks to the pot of water and let it come back to a simmer. Boil the leeks until they are very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer them to paper towels and remove the twine. Separate each leek into 2 halves.
• In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, mustards, garlic, shallots and salt and pepper. Spread some of the vinaigrette on the bottom of an 8-inch square dish.
• While the leeks are still warm, remove the outer layer of each; lay the leeks cut-side down in the vinaigrette in the dish. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette over the leeks. Cover and chill the leeks in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Arrange the leeks on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Garnish with the hazelnuts, eggs and chives. Drizzle more vinaigrette over the leeks and serve.

LEEK DRESSINGS

Steps:

• Cook leek in medium pot of boiling water 1 minute. Drain. Set aside. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in medium bowl. Stir in leek. Season dressing with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)

LEEKS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Game Plan: Make the vinaigrette while the leeks cook.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Trim the root end of the leeks, leaving enough to hold the leaves together, and halve lengthwise. Rinse very well under running water to flush out any grit trapped between the leaves. Add the leeks to the boiling water and cook until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the leeks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pat dry and lay them on a serving platter.
• Meanwhile, whisk the vinegar, mustard, water, and the 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing. Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over leeks, turn them to coat, and scatter the parsley and the tarragon, if using, over the top. Serve immediately or up to 2 hours later at room temperature.

LEEKS WITH MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Steam leeks over a saucepan of boiling water until they are just tender.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, stir together mustard & vinegar.
• Cut egg in half lengthwise & scoop egg yolk into the bowl & mash it thoroughly into the mustard mixture, using a fork.
• Gradually work in the oil to make a smooth sauce, then season to taste with salt & pepper.
• Life leeks out of steamer & place on several layers of paper towels, then cover them with more paper towels & pat dry.
• Transfer leeks to serving dish while still warm.
• Spoon dressing over them & let cool.
• Finely chop egg white using a large sharp knife, then mix with chopped fresh parsley & scatter over the leeks.
• Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

GRIDDLED LEEKS WITH HAZELNUT DRESSING

Steps:

• Arrange the leeks in a wide, lidded pan, so they're no more than 2 leeks deep at any point, then pour over enough boiling water to cover. Cover the pan and cook for 4-6 mins until just tender. Drain, refresh in cold water, then drain again. Now set aside until you are ready to serve.
• Whizz the nuts in a food processor until finely chopped but not powdery, or chop by hand. Mix with the oil, citrus juices and vinegar. Season well.
• To serve, heat a griddle or frying pan and toss the leeks in some oil. Griddle batches for 1 min on each side until slightly charred and warmed through, then put onto 4 plates. Stir the parsley into the nutty dressing, spoon over and serve.

CLASSIC LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim leeks, removing tough outer layers and cutting off root ends. Leave a little green at the top. Make a lengthwise slit part way down each leek. Put leeks in a large basin of warm tap water and swish vigorously to dislodge any sand or dirt. Remove carefully, leaving grit in basin.
• Fill a medium sauce pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and put in leeks. Cook at a brisk simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until leeks are quite tender when pierced with a paring knife. Drain and cool to room temperature.
• Make vinaigrette: put mustard and vinegar in a bowl and stir to dissolve. Whisk in olive oil to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Blot leeks and divide among 4 plates. Spoon vinaigrette over leeks, smearing with back of spoon. Sprinkle with capers. Garnish each plate with cornichons, olives and half an egg.

LEEK AND CORNBREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Toss stuffing mix with about half of the melted butter; set aside.
• In a skillet, heat reminaining butter over in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming; sauté leeks and celery for 10 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in bacon, pecans, salt and pepper; then combine with stuffing mixture.
• Spoon into a 9-inch square baking dish.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.

LIGHT LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim tough, dark greens from leeks; discard. Halve leeks lengthwise, and cut off root ends, leaving as much of bulb intact as possible. Rinse each half under running water, carefully separating layers to loosen dirt.
• Place a steamer basket over a saucepan filled with water; simmer. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Place leeks in steamer basket, cover and steam, until very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool; drain. Dry on paper towels, cut side down, patting gently.
• In a small bowl, whisk oil, mustards, and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Arrange leeks on a platter; spoon vinaigrette over top.

HERBED BREAD, CRACKER AND LEEK DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread bread on 2 large baking sheets. Bake until just dry but not brown, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes. Transfer to very large bowl.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks, onions and celery and sauté until tender but not brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to bowl with bread. Mix in cracker crumbs, herbs, salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Butter 2-quart baking dish. Mix milk into dressing. Reserve about 6 cups dressing for turkey. Mix 1/2 cup broth into remaining dressing and transfer to prepared baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake dressing in covered dish alongside turkey for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown on top, about 20 minutes longer.