Crispy Fried Leeks Recipes

CRISPY FRIED LEEK RINGS

Steps:

• 1. Slice leek from the bottom [white] part to where the stalk becomes light / medium green in 3/8" to 1/2" rings. Carefully separate them into separate rings, discarding the tight, white centers.
• 2. Immerse rings in ice water and clean carefully. Remove, drain and carefully pat dry.
• 3. "Dredge" rings in cornstarch. Set aside.
• 4. Preheat peanut oil to 375 degrees.
• 5. Place flour in a bowl and whisk in milk. Add grated shallot. The batter should be the consistency of thin pancake batter. When you've achieved this, whisk in remaining ingredients.
• 6. Coat leek rings [in small batches] with the batter. Shake of excess and drop in oil and fry until deep, golden brown. Drain and sprinkle with sea or kosher salt while hot. Repeat steps until all rings are complete.
• 7. Fantastic on their own as a side dish, but equally as delicious on a burger, in a salad, or as a topping for soup. Enjoy!

FRIED LEEKS

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pot heat oil to 350 degrees F.
• Clean and julienne leeks. Sift cornstarch and flour together. Dust leeks in flour/cornstarch and fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel, season with salt. See Cook's Note.

COLCANNON WITH CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the potatoes with enough water to cover them by 2 inches and a large pinch of salt. Boil until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, 15 to 25 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter, along with a drizzle of oil, then add leeks and a pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for 5 or so minutes. When the leeks are golden, spoon some out onto a plate to use for garnish.
• To the leeks in the pan, add the garlic cloves, and cook them for a minute until fragrant. Then, toss in the greens. Season with more salt and cook, tossing them, until the greens are wilted and very tender. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of water.
• Now add the potatoes to the skillet and mash them (so they're either smooth or chunky), and add some milk or vegetable broth, if you like, and a lot of butter. Taste, and add more salt and lots of pepper. Scatter on the fried leeks and more butter to melt in little pools across the top.
• Top with a fried egg or some smoked salmon, or serve a simple green salad on the side.

FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut leeks lengthwise into thin strips. Wash leeks and drain. Dry well between layers of paper towels.
• In a saucepan at least 3 ½ inches deep, heat 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees. Working in very small batches fry leeks (oil will bubble up quite high) until golden, about 10-15 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to paper towels to dry. Season leeks with salt.
• Leeks may be fried a day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Serve on top of soup.

CRISPY FRIED LEEKS

Steps:

• Pour peanut oil into heavy small saucepan to depth of 1 inch; heat to 350°F. Fry leeks in small batches until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer fried leeks to paper towels to drain.

LEEK RINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oil in a heavy 5-quart pot over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F.
• Slice the leeks into 1/2-inch wide rings, separating them 2 layers at a time.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and the egg. In another medium mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Divide the flour into 2 separate, shallow dishes and place the milk and egg mixture in a third. Going 1 small handful at a time, dip the rings first into the first flour mixture, then into the milk and egg, and then into the second flour mixture. Working in batches, fry the rings for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the rings to a cooling rack set inside a half sheet pan and allow to drain for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Season with additional salt, if desired.

3-INGREDIENT LEMONY GREEN BEANS WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cook green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain, then immediately transfer to a large bowl filled with ice water. Drain again and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, zest lemons to yield 1 Tbsp. zest. Juice lemons to yield 1/4 cup juice, then slice any remaining lemons into wedges. Cut leeks crosswise into 4" sections, then thinly slice lengthwise into matchsticks.
• Heat oil in a large deep-sided skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Cook half of leeks, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels; season with salt. Repeat with remaining leeks; reserve oil in skillet.
• Cook green beans, pepper, lemon zest, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in reserved oil over medium heat, tossing occasionally, just until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and toss to coat, then transfer to a platter. Drizzle about 1/2 cup oil from pan over; reserve remaining oil for another use. Top with leeks and serve with lemon wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Green beans can be blanched 1 day ahead; let dry, then transfer to an airtight container and chill.

CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Cut leek in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise. Cut each quarter into long, thin strips. Rinse the strips in hot water and pat dry.
• Toss in a medium bowl with oil.
• In a small bowl combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle flour and spice mix over leeks; toss well to combine.
• Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice, until the leeks are crispy and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

LEEK-AND-ASPARAGUS CRISPY RICE

Steps:

• Heat butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in asparagus and 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until asparagus is bright green and just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high, and cook until most of liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl.
• Return skillet to high heat; swirl in 1 tablespoon oil. Spread rice in a single layer; cook, undisturbed, until crisp in places, about 4 minutes. Stir in leek mixture, lemon zest and juice, peas, cheese, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with more cheese and herbs, topped with a fried egg.