Turkish Braised Leeks With Olives Recipes

TURKISH-STYLE BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut the leeks crosswise into pieces about 2 inches long, then slice in half lengthwise. Wash the leeks very well.
• In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the leeks, oil and carrots over medium-high heat. Stir gently every once in a while, until the leeks are slightly softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the stock or water, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until leeks are very tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and olives and continue to simmer, uncovered, until the liquid is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature, uncovered, about 45 minutes. Stir in the parsley, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

TURKISH BRAISED LEEKS (ZEYTINYAğLı PıRASA)

Steps:

• Cut the ends off the leeks. Remove the outermost layer, plus any other very thick layers. Cut into 3-4 cm (1-1 ½ in) slices, crosswise or diagonally. After this process, I'm usually left with around 500 g (slightly over 1 lbs) leeks. If you're left with a little more or less than this, that's perfectly ok.
• Heat a thick bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and tomato paste and fry for a minute, stirring constantly. Add the leeks and carrot. Fry for another couple of minutes, stirring regularly.
• Add the sugar, lemon juice, water and a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, place a lid on and turn the heat down to low. Leave to simmer until the leeks have nearly completely softened, half an hour or more, stirring a couple of times in the meantime.
• Add the rice and stir well. Place the lid back on and leave until both the rice and the leeks are completely softened, 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on it, adding more water if it's starting to look a little dry. The dish should be saucy, but not overly so. Once done, take off the heat and leave for a few minutes. Season with more lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm with a scattering of chopped fresh herbs, if you fancy.

EASY TURKISH-STYLE LEEKS RECIPE IN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan heat ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the leeks, carrots, and garlic and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and the spices. Toss around and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring regularly as needed until the leeks and carrots soften just a bit.
• Add 2 cups of water, the rice, and lemon juice. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the vegetables are fully tender.
• Let the leeks and carrots cool down to room temperature, then stir in the fresh parsley, lemon zest, and another good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

TURKISH BRAISED LEEKS WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the leeks and sauté in until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, stock, salt, pepper, and sugar.
• Cover and simmer until the leeks are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Add the olives and lemon juice and simmer another 10 minutes.
• Serve at room temperature as an appetizer or warm as a side dish.

BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, trim most of the roots off the end of the leek, leaving enough so that the leek remains attached at the bottom. Cut each leek lengthwise into halves and then cut each half into inch long pieces. Soak leeks in a large bowl of cool water to allow any dirt to settle to the bottom.
• In a saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks to the skillet. Cook the leeks, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with thyme and cook one minute more.
• Add stock, reduce heat to medium low. Braise the leeks, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until the leeks are very tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cut the ends and the dark green leaves of the leeks, and cut in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes, then run under the faucet to remove any sand that may be lingering in between the layers. Peel off thick outer layers and discard.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet that will accommodate all of the leeks in one layer. Place the leeks in the pan, cut side down, and cook, shaking the pan and moving them around with tongs, until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the leeks over and cook on the other side until they are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks back over so that the cut side is down. Peel off the outer layers if they are papery, as they will not soften when the leeks are braised. Pour in the wine and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan, then add enough water or stock to come just to the top of the leeks. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the leeks are thoroughly tender when pierced with a knife. Most of the liquid should have evaporated by this time. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
• Transfer the leeks to an oiled ovenproof pan if your skillet cannot go under the broiler. Using tongs, turn the leeks so that the flat side is up. If there is still a lot of liquid in the pan, pour it off. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the leeks. Place under the hot broiler until the cheese has melted and is beginning to color. Remove from the heat and serve.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH OLIVE OIL AND RICE

Steps:

• Trim the hard green parts from the leeks; split in half from about an inch below the root end (leave this intact for now) to the leafy end. Carefully wash between all the layers, removing all traces of sand. Cut off the root end and cut the leeks into 4-inch sections.
• Put all but a tablespoon of the oil in a skillet with a lid or a saucepan large enough to hold the leeks in one layer. Turn the heat to medium. When the oil is hot, add the leeks and carrots, along with a sprinkling of salt and pepper, and cook for about 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the leeks are tender. Your goal is not to brown the leeks but to soften them; if they brown a little, however, that's fine.
• Add the rice and 1 1/2 cups of water, cover, and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers. Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the water is absorbed; the mixture should be moist but not soupy. Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold (this will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for a day, and can be reheated). Just before serving, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and the lemon juice.
• Braised Leeks with Olives
• In step 2, omit the carrots. In step 3, omit the rice and add 1/2 cup pitted black olives, like Kalamatas. Use only 1/2 cup liquid and cook for only 5 to 10 minutes, until hot. Add the lemon juice at the end.
• Braised Leeks with Egg-Lemon Sauce
• You can use this formula with almost any braised vegetable: When the leeks are done, beat 2 eggs in a bowl with the minced or grated zest and juice of a lemon; still beating, add about 1/2 cup of the leek-cooking liquid. Gradually add the remaining cooking liquid, beating all the while. Dress the leeks with this sauce and serve.

TURKISH LEEKS IN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Trim leeks and remove a few of the outer layers.
• Slice 3/4" thick, discard tough green leaves.
• Wash leeks well in several changes of water.
• In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil.
• Stir in leeks and carrots.
• Cover and cook very gently (low heat) for 30 minutes, shaking the skillet occasionally.
• Blend in the remaining ingredients in order.
• Cover and simmer for another 30 minutes, checking the liquid and adding more water, if necessary.
• When fully cooked, it should be very moist but not watery.