Melted Leeks With White Wine Braise Recipes

MELTED LEEKS WITH WHITE-WINE BRAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut off and discard the tough green tops of the leeks. Slice the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse well to remove grit. Cut the leeks on the diagonal into 1/2-inch slices, transfer to a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and toss them with the salt and pepper. Drizzle with the wine, dot with the butter and cover the dish tightly with foil.
• Place the leeks in the oven and bake until they are very soft, about 70 minutes. Serve 2 cups with the roasted chickens and refrigerate the remaining 2 cups for other uses.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS, AND MELTED LEEKS

Steps:

• If you see or feel dirt in the leeks, rinse well, separating layers, then pat dry; otherwise, leave rounds intact.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high until hot but not smoking. Add leeks in a single layer; season with 1/4 tsp. salt and a pinch of pepper. Reduce heat to low and cook, turning once, until leeks are lightly golden, 16-18 minutes. Transfer leeks to a plate; reserve skillet.
• Lightly crush fennel seeds with the bottom of a heavy skillet or pot. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with fennel, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a 5-7-qt. Dutch oven or large wide saucepan over medium-high. Cook thighs, skin side down, until well-browned, 12-14 minutes. Transfer skin side up to a plate. Pour off and discard fat.
• Add wine to pot, bring to a simmer, and cook, scraping up bits from bottom of pot, 1 minute. Add broth and return chicken skin side up to pot. Lower heat to medium-low, cover pot, and cook until chicken is cooked through, 15-18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine asparagus, peas, and 2 Tbsp. water in reserved skillet, cover, and cook over medium heat until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 tsp. lemon zest, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper; stir gently to just combine.
• Divide chicken, asparagus mixture, and reserved leeks among large shallow bowls. Bring broth to a simmer, add lemon juice, then ladle into bowls. Top with dill and remaining 1 Tbsp. lemon zest.