Pdde Rex Liberaes Recipes

PAPPARDELLE WITH LEEKS, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, AND LEMON

Steps:

• While bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks and a pinch of salt; cook until leeks begin to soften and are bright in color, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender, about 5 more minutes. Turn off heat. Finely grate zest of lemons directly into skillet, and season generously with pepper.
• When water boils, add sugar snap peas to boiling water, and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes. Transfer peas to a plate using a strainer.
• Add pasta to boiling water, and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes (do not drain water). Transfer pasta to skillet using the strainer. Add sugar snap peas. Gradually stir in 1 cup pasta water, about 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with ricotta and half the Pecorino and tossing until pasta is coated and sauce is creamy.
• Divide among 4 bowls, and top with remaining grated cheese.

CHEESE, LEEK & POTATO PIDE

Steps:

• To make the dough, tip the flour into a bowl, stir in the sugar and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast, then make a well in the centre and add the oil. Gradually pour in 350-360ml lukewarm water, then combine the ingredients to form a dough. Knead for 5 mins until smooth. Transfer to a clean bowl, cover with a damp cloth and leave in the fridge overnight.
• The next day, heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9. Cut the green ends off the leeks - leave the white ends so they stay together when cooking. Rinse in cold water, then dry and place on a baking tray. Roast for 25 mins, turning halfway through, until the outside is fully charred. Discard the outer layer, but leave a little char for added flavour. Trim the ends, then slice into 2cm rounds. Can be made a day ahead and chilled. Leave your oven on and put in two flat baking sheets (or a pizza stone, if you have one).
• To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then whisk in the flour. Pour in a third of the milk and whisk until smooth. Repeat twice with the remaining two-thirds. Turn the heat right down and cook for 15 mins, whisking occasionally, until it has the same consistency as double cream. Whisk in both cheeses - the halloumi won't melt - and add sea salt to taste. Pour the sauce into a baking tray and allow to cool completely. Can be made a day ahead and chilled.
• Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer or heavy-bottomed pan to 160C. Slice the potatoes into approx 1mm slices on a mandolin. Rinse in warm water to remove excess starch, then dry with a cloth. Fry in small batches for 3-4 mins until golden (add the slices one at a time so that they don't stick together). Transfer with a slotted spoon to a baking tray lined with kitchen paper. Season with fine salt.
• To make the pides, knock back the dough on a floured surface, roll into a long sausage shape and cut into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and cover with a damp tea towel.
• Roll out a ball of dough on the floured surface into a large oval (approx 40 x 15cm) as thick as a 50p piece - it will be very elastic but will roll out eventually. Transfer to a floured baking sheet to assemble the pide.
• Leaving a 3cm border, spread a sixth of the sauce down the centre of the pide. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and oregano, and top with leeks. Fold into a canoe shape, leaving the centre of the filling exposed. Pinch the ends to avoid unravelling when baking, and push down on the dough to ensure that it keeps its shape.
• Slide the pide onto one of the hot baking sheets. Bake for 12 mins until it has a golden, crisp exterior. Meanwhile, assemble the next one and bake on the other hot tray. Continue until all the dough is used up, setting the pides aside when they're done.
• Once they're all baked, reheat them for 2-3 mins, brush the outside with melted butter, arrange a line of potatoes down the middle and sprinkle over the crumbled cheese.