Welsh Ham And Leek Casserole Recipes

WELSH HAM AND LEEK CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. To prepare leeks: Remove any withered outer leaves. Cut off 1 inch of leaf tops; discard. Cut off roots, then cut leeks in half crosswise. Make slit down length of each leek half, being careful not to cut through leek completely. Rinse thoroughly. Tie 2 leek halves together with kitchen string; repeat with remaining leeks. Place leeks in Dutch oven; pour in enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 6 to 8 minutes or until leeks are tender. Drain and pat dry. Remove strings.
• 2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
• 3. Place tomatoes in bottom of 13X9-inch baking dish.
• 4. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.
• 5. Add celery; cook 3 minutes or until celery is crisp-tender. Remove celery with slotted spoon; arrange evenly over tomatoes. Reserve butter in saucepan.
• 6. Wrap 1 ham slice around each leek half. Arrange, seam side down, in single layer in baking dish.
• 7. Add garlic to reserved butter in saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat 30 seconds. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• 8. Gradually whisk in milk and half-and-half until smooth. Cook until mixture boils and thickens, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
• 9. Stir in 3/4 cup cheese; continue to stir until cheese melts.
• 10. Pour cheese sauce evenly over leeks. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and bread crumbs.
• 11. Bake 30 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.

WELSH CHICKEN, LEEK AND BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/320F (moderate oven).
• Cook the chicken (microwave, poach, steam or saute) and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Simmer the leeks and broccoli about 5 mins in the stock to partially cook, and then add the chicken. Put in a casserole dish, season to taste, and cover with breadcrumbs.
• Cover and place in a moderate oven for about an hour.
• Remove from the oven, remove the cover, and place under the broiler until brown. Serve straight from the casserole dish.

WELSH LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the leeks, onions and celery and cook gently for 10 minutes, until softened but not browned.
• Add the stock. Season to taste and bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
• Allow to cool slightly, then puree in a blender or (hand held) food processor until smooth.
• Return to the saucepan, stir in the yogurt. Adjust the seasoning and reheat gently without boiling.
• Serve hot, garnished with snipped chives.

WELSH LEEK PIE

Steps:

• Prepare the leeks by cutting off the roots, the coarse green leaves and the damaged outer layer. Run under the tap to get rid of the dirt and grit. Slice them into a colander and rinse again. Cook them gently in the butter till soft.
• Line a shallow pie dish with a layer of pastry, and turn the leeks and the ham (chopped small) on to it.
• Mix cream and eggs well together. Season with salt and plenty of pepper and strain into pie dish. Cover with a pasrty lid, and brush with milk.
• Bake for about 30 minutes in a 350F oven.
• This pie tastes better warm than hot. If you prefer a flan, just cook without the pastry lid.