Cheesy Leeks With Ham Recipes

CHEESY LEEKS & HAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan180C/gas 6. Cook the leeks in a pan of boiling salted water for 4-5 mins or until just tender. Drain and cool under a cold tap to stop them from cooking any further, then drain again well and pat dry on kitchen paper.
• Wrap each leek in a slice of ham, then arrange, side-by-side, in a large baking dish. Mix the cheddar in a bowl with the Dijon mustard and crème fraîche, until well combined. Season to taste. Spread over the leeks, then bake for 15-20 mins until bubbling and golden brown. Serve at once with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the juices.

CHEESY LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the leeks into a steamer basket and steam for 6-8 mins until bright green and just becoming tender.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and flour together in a saucepan, stirring until you have a thick paste. Add the milk, a splash at a time, stirring continuously until all the milk has been added. Cook for 2-3 mins more until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in most of the Yeo valley Organic mature cheddar, the mustard and some seasoning.
• Fold the steamed leeks into the cheese sauce, then tip everything into an ovenproof baking dish. Scatter over the breadcrumbs, thyme and remaining cheese, then bake for 20 mins until golden, crisp on top and bubbling at the edges. Leave to stand for 5 mins before serving.

CHEESY LEEKS WITH HAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and boil the kettle. Place the leeks in a single layer in a large saucepan and add enough hot water from the kettle to cover. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 5 mins until the leeks are just tender.
• Lay 2 slices of ham, overlapping, on a board, then sit 2 leek halves at one end. Wrap up, repeat with the other leeks, then place the parcels in a small ovenproof dish.
• Mix three-quarters of the cheese with the crème fraîche, then season and spoon over the parcels. Mix the remaining parmesan with the breadcrumbs and scatter over the top. Bake for 15 mins until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve with a green salad and crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

CHEESY LEEKS AND HAM FOR ONE

Steps:

• Wash leeks and cut into 5cm lengths and gently boil for 10 minutes, drain well and keep warm.
• Melt the margarine and stir in flour cook for 2-3 minutes and slowly add milk and bring to the boil stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, simmer for a few minutes then add the cheese and season.
• Place the leeks in an ovenproof dish and cover with the ham, sauce and then the breadcrumbs and brown under a hot grill.

BAKED LEEKS AND HAM SLICES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
• Cut off the top of the leeks, leaving 2 inches of the green part. Trim off the root ends at the base. Rinse leeks thoroughly in cold water to remove sand.
• Place leeks in a pot, cover with water and add salt to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer for 8 minutes. Drain and chill.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a saucepan. Add flour, stirring with a wire whisk. When blended add milk, stirring rapidly with whisk. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne and blend. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add egg yolk, stirring briskly.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon butter in a skillet. Add leeks and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook briefly, turning to heat evenly. Place each leek on a slice of ham, at an end.
• Carefully roll the ham up to form a roulade.
• Sprinkle shallots in the bottom of a baking dish measuring 11 by 8 inches. Place the roulades close together in a row. Spoon sauce on top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until hot and bubbling and nicely glazed on top.

HAM, LEEK & POTATO PIE

Steps:

• Heat a large frying pan, melt the butter, then add the onion and leeks. Cover, then very gently cook for 15 mins until soft. Add the potatoes after 5 mins cooking.
• Stir in the flour, turn up the heat, then add the stock, stirring until the mix thickens a little. Take off the heat, then stir in the crème fraîche, mustard and ham. Season to taste, then cool, if you have time. Spoon the mix into a large pie dish, adding a couple of bay leaves. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.
• Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut a pastry strip the same width as the lip of the dish, wet the edge of the dish with egg, then fix the strip around it. Brush the top with egg, then lay over the remaining pastry.
• Trim pastry to the edge of the dish, then ruffle the cut edges with the knife blade to help the layers rise. Cut a few slits to let the steam escape, decorate with bay leaves, if you like, then brush all over the top with egg. Can be done up to a day ahead, keep chilled. Bake for 30 mins until risen.