Leek Dressings Recipes

CHORIZO DRESSING WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter one or two large sheet pans. Spread the bread pieces out on the pan or pans. Bake in the oven, tossing occasionally, until well toasted, about 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans and turning the bread about halfway through. Remove sheet pans and allow to cool.
• Place a large skillet over medium heat and swirl the olive oil into it. When it shimmers, add leeks, salt, black pepper and red pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks have softened, about 10 to 15 minutes. (If the leeks begin to stick to the pan, you can add a couple tablespoons of water here to prevent them from burning.) Add chorizo and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and begins to redden the leeks, an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Add vinegar to the pan to deglaze it, cook for a minute or so, then dump mixture into a large bowl.
• Add smoked paprika and oregano, mix well, then tear and crumble the toasts into bite-sized pieces, add them to the bowl and stir to combine. Add turkey or chicken stock, a cup at a time, mixing as you go, until the dressing is moist but not entirely wet. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter, drizzle it over the bread mixture, and gently fold to combine.
• Transfer the dressing to a well-buttered 9-by-13-inch baking pan and bake in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until crusty on top and at the edges. Add a little more turkey stock as needed to keep it from drying out.

CLASSIC LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim leeks, removing tough outer layers and cutting off root ends. Leave a little green at the top. Make a lengthwise slit part way down each leek. Put leeks in a large basin of warm tap water and swish vigorously to dislodge any sand or dirt. Remove carefully, leaving grit in basin.
• Fill a medium sauce pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and put in leeks. Cook at a brisk simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until leeks are quite tender when pierced with a paring knife. Drain and cool to room temperature.
• Make vinaigrette: put mustard and vinegar in a bowl and stir to dissolve. Whisk in olive oil to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Blot leeks and divide among 4 plates. Spoon vinaigrette over leeks, smearing with back of spoon. Sprinkle with capers. Garnish each plate with cornichons, olives and half an egg.

BASE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, shallots and 1 teaspoon water. Slowly stream in the oils while whisking. Season with salt and pepper.

LEEK DRESSINGS

Steps:

• Cook leek in medium pot of boiling water 1 minute. Drain. Set aside. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in medium bowl. Stir in leek. Season dressing with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)

HERBED BREAD, CRACKER AND LEEK DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread bread on 2 large baking sheets. Bake until just dry but not brown, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes. Transfer to very large bowl.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks, onions and celery and sauté until tender but not brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to bowl with bread. Mix in cracker crumbs, herbs, salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Butter 2-quart baking dish. Mix milk into dressing. Reserve about 6 cups dressing for turkey. Mix 1/2 cup broth into remaining dressing and transfer to prepared baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake dressing in covered dish alongside turkey for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown on top, about 20 minutes longer.

LEEK AND CORNBREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Toss stuffing mix with about half of the melted butter; set aside.
• In a skillet, heat reminaining butter over in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming; sauté leeks and celery for 10 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in bacon, pecans, salt and pepper; then combine with stuffing mixture.
• Spoon into a 9-inch square baking dish.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.