Braised leeks, known as "poireaux braisés" in French, are a classic French dish that offers a simple yet elegant way to enjoy the mild and sweet flavor of leeks. Whether you are looking for a side dish to accompany a main course or a vegetarian main course, braised leeks are a versatile and delicious option. This article will guide you through the process of creating perfectly braised leeks, exploring the best techniques and ingredients to achieve tender and flavorful results.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN
My friend Elizabeth tells me that even people who think they don't like leeks like this dish. The leeks are braised in wine and water or stock until soft and golden, then topped with Parmesan and run under a broiler, so you get a crunchy layer on top of soft cooked leeks. One of the tricks here is to discard the outer layers that become papery when you cook them, so that the whole leek will be soft and easy to cut through.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories side dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 135, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 278 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
BRAISED LEEKS, PEAS, AND LETTUCE
When you warm lettuce in butter and wine it gets velvety and rich-a perfect foil to the toothsome, sweet peas. Serve spooned over slices of quiche for brunch.
Provided by Tara O'Brady
Categories Braise Leek Wine Lettuce Pea Chive Mint Lemon Pistachio Easter Breakfast Brunch Entertaining Spring Lunch
Yield 4 side servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Melt butter in a large wide saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook leeks, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 5-7 minutes. Season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper, then pour in wine. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until wine is reduced by half, 1-2 minutes. Add lettuce, peas, and 1 cup water. Partially cover pan and bring liquid to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until lettuce and peas are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, then stir in chives, mint, and lemon zest; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter. Top with pistachios.
SIMPLE BRAISED LEEKS
Steps:
- Remove outer leaves; cut dark-green ends from leeks. Trim roots, keeping leaves attached. Halve lengthwise; rinse to remove grit.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks to pan and arrange cut side down in a single layer. Cook until softened and light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn leeks and cook on the other side until softened, 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the leeks again so they are cut side down and peel off any papery outer layers. Add stock and wine, stirring to deglaze pan. Cook for 1 minute. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover with a parchment paper round. Cook until the leeks are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes.
- Remove parchment, raise heat, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse salt and parsley; serve.
TENDER BRAISED LEEKS
These leeks, poached gently in an aromatic liquor, make a delicious dish on their own, or try them with fish or roast chicken
Provided by Barney Desmazery
Categories Side dish, Supper
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Trim the darkest green part off the leeks and strip away the first two layers. Cut in half lengthways, but keep attached at the root. Wash the leeks under cold running water and set aside. Tip all the other ingredients, except the olives and parsley, into a wide shallow pan with 200ml water, some cracked pepper and a sprinkling of salt.
- Slip the leeks into the pan, cover and place over a low heat. Gently simmer for 20 mins, turning them occasionally until very tender - a knife blade should slip in easily. Leave to cool until just warm, then stir through the parsley and olives, if you like. Serve the leeks as they are with crusty bread or with roast chicken or fish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 65 calories, Fat 2 grams fat, Carbohydrate 7 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 3 grams protein, Sodium 0.01 milligram of sodium
POIREAUX BRAISES (BRAISED LEEKS)
Make and share this Poireaux Braises (Braised Leeks) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Bergy
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut leeks diagonally into thirds and then diagonally in half to form 6 triangular pieces from each leek.
- Rinse under cold water; drain.
- Melt margarine in a heavy skillet; add leeks.
- Cook until lightly browned, stirring gently, approx 15 minutes.
- Stir in the broth cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until golden and the broth has mostly evaporated.
POIREAUX AU GRATIN (LEEKS AU GRATIN)
Provided by Craig Claiborne And Pierre Franey
Categories casseroles, side dish
Time 45m
Yield Six servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 348, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 34 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 655 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
EASY BRAISED LEEKS
Serve these sweet, melty, easy braised leeks as a side dish with pork chops or chicken cutlets.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Halve leeks lengthwise (white and light-green parts only); separate layers and rinse well. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium. Add leeks and water; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cover and cook at a medium simmer until leeks are very tender (adding more water if necessary), 14 to 16 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 91 g, Fat 5 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g
FRENCH BRAISED LEEKS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- Cut the root end off the leeks, as well as the dark green stem end, leaving just the white and light green portion. Split them lengthwise and remove the outer two layers. Wash thoroughly under running water, being careful to rinse between layers to remove any grit. Shake off the excess water.
- Rub the bottom of a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with the softened butter, then lay the leeks, cut side down, in the pan. They should fit snugly in one layer across the pan. Pour the wine and Chicken Stock over the leeks, sprinkle with salt and a little pepper, then cover with waxed paper or parchment (which will keep the tops of the leeks moist), and bring the liquid to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. Use a small spatula or tongs to turn the leeks once, halfway through the cooking process. When cooked, the leeks should be completely tender and not stringy. Turn them over once more, so the outer layers are facing up. To test doneness, I usually just peel off one or two outer layers, the last to get cooked, and sample them (if they are the least bit tough, cook for another 5 minutes).
- Remove pan from the heat and cool. If there are more than 2 tablespoons of juices left in the pan, remove the leeks to a serving platter and reduce the juices to 2 tablespoons. Reserve juices for the Dijon vinaigrette.
- Pour the dressing over the leeks and let sit for at least 10 minutes. These leeks are wonderful served warm or cold, but I like them best at room temperature.
- Dijon Vinaigrette
- Whisk together the shallot, mustard, vinegar, and pan juices in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
Tips:
- Choose the right leeks: Select young, firm leeks with a white or light green base. Avoid leeks that are wilted or have yellow or brown spots.
- Trim the leeks: Cut off the root end and the dark green leaves. Slice the leeks lengthwise and rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot: This will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the leeks from burning.
- Don't overcrowd the pot: Cook the leeks in a single layer so that they can brown evenly.
- Be patient: Braising takes time, so don't rush the process. The leeks should be cooked until they are tender, but still hold their shape.
- Season to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a splash of white wine or chicken broth for extra flavor.
Conclusion:
Braised leeks are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a side dish or main course. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. With a little time and effort, you can easily make this classic French dish at home.
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