Parmesan Leeks Recipes

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cut the ends and the dark green leaves of the leeks, and cut in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes, then run under the faucet to remove any sand that may be lingering in between the layers. Peel off thick outer layers and discard.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet that will accommodate all of the leeks in one layer. Place the leeks in the pan, cut side down, and cook, shaking the pan and moving them around with tongs, until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the leeks over and cook on the other side until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks back over so that the cut side is down. Peel off the outer layers if they are papery, as they will not soften when the leeks are braised. Pour in the wine and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan, then add enough water or stock to come just to the top of the leeks. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the leeks are thoroughly tender when pierced with a knife. Most of the liquid should have evaporated by this time. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
• Transfer the leeks to an oiled ovenproof pan if your skillet cannot go under the broiler. Using tongs, turn the leeks so that the flat side is up. If there is still a lot of liquid in the pan, pour it off. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the leeks. Place under the hot broiler until the cheese has melted and is beginning to color. Remove from the heat and serve.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Pull off any yellow or withered leaves from the leeks. Trim away the roots from the bulbous end. Do not cut off the green tops. Cut each leek lengthwise in two. Wash the leeks very thoroughly under cold running water, spreading the tops with your hands to make sure any hidden bits of grit are washed away. Put the leeks in a pan just broad or long enough so that they can lie flat and straight. Add the butter, salt and enough water to cover, put a lid on the pan, and turn on the heat to medium low. Cook until the thickest part of the leeks feels tender when prodded with a fork, about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the vegetable's youth and freshness. Turn them from time to time while they cook. When done, uncover the pan, turn up the heat to high, and boil away all the watery juices in the pan. In the process, the leeks should become lightly browned. Before removing from heat, add the grated Parmesan, turn the leeks over once or twice, then transfer to a warm platter and serve at once.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH LEEKS AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and tilt the pan to coat completely with oil.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Place them in the sauté pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the chicken releases easily from the pan and the underside is browned. Turn the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes to brown the other side. Transfer the chicken to an ovenproof platter or pan and put it in the oven to finish cooking.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter to the pan. When the butter melts, add the leeks and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are softened, about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat to add the vermouth, then return it to medium-low heat and cook until the vermouth is reduced by about half. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer, which should be 165 F. and let stand a few minutes before slicing chicken on the bias. Transfer chicken breasts to a dinner plate and top each with a generous spoonful of the cooked leeks.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high; cook until butter foams. Add half of leeks, cut side down; cook 5 minutes, pressing leeks occasionally, until cut sides are deeply browned. Remove leeks from pan. Repeat procedure with remaining oil, butter, and leeks.
• Return all leeks to pan; add wine. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 20 minutes or until leeks are tender when pierced with a fork. Stir in salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a platter; top with Parmesan cheese.

ROASTED LEEKS

Steps:

• Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
• Cut: Remove the dark green portion of the leeks, then cut in half lengthwise (you can cut off the longer roots, but keep the main root bulb intact). Rinse each half well under cool water to remove any dirt that may be lodged inside the leek.
• Flavor: Place leeks cutside down in a large casserole dish. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, rubbing to evenly coat.
• Cook: Cover the pan with foil and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the foil, flip leeks cutside up, and sprinkle parmesan over them. Continue cooking uncovered for 15 to 25 minutes, or until leeks are tender.
• Serve: Serve leeks warm, optionally topped with lemon zest or your favorite spices.

BUTTERY LEEKS WITH PARMESAN AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim dark-green tops and root ends from leeks and discard; halve lengthwise. Remove thick, tough outer layers (2 to 4 total, depending on size), discarding or reserving for another use. Thoroughly wash and drain leeks, keeping them intact. Arrange in a snug single layer, cut sides up, in a broiler-safe baking dish or skillet.
• In a small saucepan, boil wine 30 seconds. Add broth and return to a boil; season generously with salt and pepper. Pour mixture over leeks, then sprinkle with butter and thyme. Cover dish with parchment-lined foil.
• Roast 45 minutes. Uncover and continue roasting until leeks are very soft and broth mixture is reduced by half, 20 to 22 minutes.
• Switch oven to broil. Sprinkle leeks with cheese. Broil 6 to 8 inches from heating element until bubbly and browning in places, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve warm, with some of braising liquid.

CREAMY PARMESAN LEEKS

Steps:

• Place the leeks, water and butter in a saucepan with a tightly fitting lid.
• Bring quickly to the boil, then turn the heat as low as you can, and cook for about 15 minutes, checking the liquid and stirring a couple of times.
• Stir in the cream and heat, then fold in the parmesan cheese and serve.