Risotto Aux Poireaux Leeks Recipes

LEEK RISOTTO RECIPE

Steps:

• Make a vegetable stock and set aside. Then clean the leeks. Remove the dark green part of the leek and the last part with the roots. Then remove even the hardest outer leaf, which you can add to the stock for more flavor.
• Cut the leeks into rings. In a large saucepan, pour 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and half a dose of butter. Turn on the heat and when the butter has melted, add the rings of leeks, a pinch of salt and a ladle of vegetable stock. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and mix well. Then add the white wine and let the it evaporate.
• add hot vegetable stock, very little at a time stirring constantly. Let it cook for about 15 minutes. At the end turn off the heat and add Parmigiano cheese and the remaining butter. Mix well for a creamy leek risotto. If you like, add some freshly ground black pepper. Serve leek risotto immediately hot with a little more grated Parmigiano cheese to taste.

LEEK RISOTTO WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Add 1/2 tablespoon oil to a large, wide saucepan, and add the pancetta slices. (It's OK if they're not in one layer, as they will shrink quite a bit.) Turn heat to medium and cook, turning and rearranging the pancetta until lightly browned, crisp, and the fat has rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a paper towel, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Add the stock and 1 cup water to a separate medium saucepan. Transfer the saucepan to a back burner and bring to a simmer over low. Keep warm on the lowest heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan that you cooked the pancetta in, and add the leeks, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, over medium-high until wilted and soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until grains look slightly translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until nearly absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Add a ladleful of stock to the rice - you want just enough to barely cover the surface of the rice. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring very frequently, until it's nearly absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue adding stock in this way until rice is very creamy, but still al dente, 15 to 20 minutes total. You may not need all of the liquid, but you will probably use most of it.
• Stir in the butter and cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the snap peas. Add more of the remaining liquid if needed to loosen (it should be a bit soupy), and divide among four shallow bowls. Crumble the reserved pancetta over top, and sprinkle with chives, if desired.

POIREAUX AU GRATIN (LEEKS AU GRATIN)

Steps:

• Trim off the stem end of each leek. Cut off enough of the green part to leave a main section of about seven inches. Split the leeks lengthwise in half. Cut the split leeks crosswise into one-and-onehalf-inch lengths. There should be about eight cups loosely packed. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Drain.
• Put the leeks in a heavy skillet and add the butter, salt and pepper to taste and the nutmeg. Cook, stirring, about one minute. Add the cream and bring to the simmer. Cover and cook 15 minutes.
• Preheat broiler.
• Spoon the hot leeks into a baking and serving dish and smooth over the top. Sprinkle the top with cheese and place under the broiler until nicely glazed. Serve hot. If the dish is to be reheated, place it for 20 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees.