Leek And Celery Pie Recipes

QUICK BRAISED CELERY AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Trim the top and bottom stump from the head of celery. Rinse well. Set aside the innermost leafy stalks.
• Prepare the leeks: Cut off the bottom stump and dark green tops and discard, leaving the white and light green section. Slice the leeks lengthwise through the center. Place the long halves flat-side down on a cutting board, and slice the leeks into 1/4-inch thick semicircles. Rinse well.TIP: You can use the dark green leek tops for chicken stock.
• Heat a braising dish or 10" skillet with a lid over medium-low heat with the butter and thyme. When the butter has melted, add the leeks and stir. Stir in 1/4 cup of broth or water, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Reduce the heat to the lower side of medium-low and cook, covered, for about 15 minutes, stirring with some frequency, until the leeks are very soft. TIP: The goal here is to not get too much color on the leeks. Check the leeks once or twice while cooking. If they look dry or brown, stir in an additional tablespoon of water.
• Remove the lid and give the leeks a stir. Lay the long celery stalks on top of the leeks in a single layer. Add the remaining water or broth and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and some turns of fresh black pepper.
• Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the celery is al dente.
• Fish out the thyme sprigs and taste for seasoning. Transfer the celery to a serving platter. If liquid remains in the pan, stir the leeks and cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the leeks look very melted and saucy.
• Spoon the leeks over the celery and garnish the dish with some more black pepper, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and some reserved celery leaves. Serve immediately.

BALSAMIC CARAMELIZED LEEKS, CARROTS, AND CELERY

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir leeks until softened, about 5 minutes. Add celery, carrots, vegetable broth, and balsamic vinegar; cook and stir until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir brown sugar into leek mixture until dissolved and mixture is lightly browned, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY LEEK, PESTO & SQUASH PIE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the squash with half the oil and some seasoning in a roasting tin. Roast for 25-30 mins until just tender, tossing halfway through.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the leeks with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until beginning to soften. Stir through the pesto, beans and stock, then bring to a simmer and cook for 5 mins. Stir though the crème fraîche and squash, then spoon into a 26 x 18 x 5cm baking dish. Scrunch up the filo pastry and arrange on top of the filling. Brush with the egg and bake for 20 mins or until golden brown. Serve with the mixed salad leaves on the side, dressed with a little olive oil, if you like.

LEEK, CHEESE & POTATO PIE

Steps:

• To make the pastry, sieve the flour into a large mixing bowl and add 1 tsp sea salt. Coarsely grate in the cold butter, then use your fingertips to work into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Pour over the vodka and use a butter knife to mix it in, then pour over 2 tbsp cold water and stir again with the knife. If you need to, add a little more water until it comes together as a dough, about 1-2 tbsp. Lightly knead the pastry to a smooth dough in the bowl, dust lightly with flour and wrap in baking parchment. Rest for at least 30 mins.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into 5mm- thick slices and put them in a lidded saucepan. Cover with cold water, add a generous pinch of salt, bring to the boil with the lid on, then lower to a simmer and cook for 8-10 mins until just tender. Drain and leave to steam-dry.
• In a large non-stick frying pan, heat the olive oil, bay leaf and butter together over a medium heat, then add the leek and onion. Season well and add a good grating of nutmeg. Cook, stirring, for 8-10 mins, until softened. Add about 100ml water, and cook until most of it has evaporated. Discard the bay leaf and stir in both the mustards and parmesan. Set aside to cool. Butter and flour a 20cm round pie dish.
• Roll ¾ of the pastry out on a lightly floured surface in a circle larger than the pie dish, then line the dish. Roll the rest into a large circle for the lid and chill both for 10 mins. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Spoon a layer of the leek mixture into the lined dish, grate over some cheddar and top with a layer of potatoes and the melting cheese slices. Repeat the layering until you have filled the pie dish - press down to compact it.
• Brush some of the egg around the edges, top with the pastry lid and crimp together. Egg wash the lid, scatter over some sea salt and cut two slits in the lid. Bake for 45-50 mins until golden.
• Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 mins, then slice and serve with a watercress salad, if you like.

BEEF, LEEK & SWEDE CUMBERLAND PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the leek whites, carrot and celery in a flameproof casserole dish with the butter, oil and a pinch of salt, and soften, without colouring, over a gentle heat.
• Meanwhile, brown the mince in a non-stick frying pan. Cook in batches to keep it brown and avoid it going grey and soggy. If you've used a lean mince, you may need to add a drop of oil. Break up the mince well with a wooden spoon as you go.
• When the veg is soft, stir in the bacon lardons, turn up the heat a little and cook until everything is golden. Stir in the mince, followed by the flour, 3 thyme sprigs, Worcestershire sauce and Marmite. Gradually stir in the stock and bring everything to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 hrs until the sauce is thickened and rich, and the beef tender, removing the lid and stirring in the leek greens halfway through.
• While the beef bakes, put the swede and potato into two separate pans. Cover with cold water, bring to the boil, then simmer until tender - about 20 mins. Drain both well, then tip back into their pans over a low heat to steam-dry for a few mins. When both (but particularly the swede) look dry, combine them in one pan with the butter, milk, nutmeg and lots of seasoning. Mash until smooth.
• Transfer the mince to individual dishes or one baking dish (or leave in the casserole if you prefer, discarding the thyme sprigs). Cover with the mash, using a fork to fluff up the top. Rub the cheddar into the breadcrumbs with the leaves from the remaining thyme sprigs and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the mash, dot with small knobs of butter, then increase the temperature to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and bake for 30 mins until golden and crisp on top. Can be made ahead and chilled, or frozen and defrosted. Bake for an extra 10-15 mins until the sauce is bubbling.

MUSHROOM & LEEK PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate while preparing filling., Wipe mushrooms clean with a damp tea towel. Trim stems; quarter or slice large mushrooms., In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add leek; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until tender. Remove from pan., In same pan, heat remaining butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 4-6 minutes or until tender and liquid has evaporated. Stir in leek, salt and pepper. Cool slightly., Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese onto bottom of crust. Top with mushroom mixture; sprinkle with remaining cheese. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and cream until blended; pour over top., Bake on a lower oven rack until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with parsley before serving.