Mels Lentil Leek Saute Recipes

SPICED LENTILS WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Brown 1 bunch leeks (halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise) in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat, 7 to 8 minutes; add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Add 3/4 cup dried brown or green lentils, 3 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 1 star anise pod and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and star anise. Season with salt, top with mint and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with lime wedges.

CONFIT LEEKS WITH LENTILS, LEMON AND CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius/350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If necessary, soak and carefully rinse the leek rounds in a large bowl of water to get rid of any excess grit. Drain, then cautiously pat dry, keeping the rounds intact.
• Add the leeks, garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper to a 12-by-8-inch/30-by-20-centimeter baking dish. Mix gently to combine, then pour the oil on top. Arrange the leeks cut-side up, then cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove the baking dish from the oven and gently turn the leeks using two forks. Cover again with foil and return to the oven to bake until completely softened, about 35 minutes more. Turn the oven temperature up to 200 degrees Celsius/400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• As the leeks bake, fill a medium saucepan about two-thirds of the way with water and bring to a boil over high. Add the lentils and cook until just tender but not at all mushy, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
• When ready, remove the confit leeks from the oven and transfer a heaping 1/2 cup/100 grams of the cooked leeks plus 5 of the garlic cloves to a bowl for the leek cream. Add the cooked lentils to the remaining leeks in the baking dish along with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper; mix gently to combine. Cover again with the foil and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and leave to settle for 10 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs.
• While the lentils bake with the leeks, make the cream: Add reserved leeks and garlic to a food processor along with the heavy cream, mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/8 teaspoon of salt; blitz until smooth.
• When ready, stir the remaining 4 tablespoons lemon juice and the chopped herbs into the lentil and leek mixture. Transfer to a rimmed platter and serve with the leek cream in a bowl alongside.

LEEK AND GREEN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils and leave to stand in water whilst preparing the rest of the veggies.
• In a large soup pot saute leeks, onions, garlic and carrot until soft in the olive oil.
• Drain the lentils and add them to the pan.
• Add the the bayleaf, stock, thyme and miso paste if using, and bring to the boil.
• Simmer for about an hour or until the lentils are soft enough to puree.
• Remove the bay leaf.
• Puree with a stick blender.
• Any leftovers will be good for freezing.