Best Buttered Leeks Recipes

BUTTERED LEEKS

Steps:

• The day before you want to serve this dish, cut the leeks from top to root and wash thoroughly under cold running water. Thinly slice them on the diagonal and put into plastic bags and chill until ready to cook.
• To serve, put a large pan over a medium heat, add the butter and let it melt over the base of the pan. Add the leeks and plenty of seasoning and stir to coat in the butter. Turn the heat down to low, cover the pan and cook the leeks gently for about 15 minutes, stirring half way through until they are tender. Serve with extra butter and a sprinkling of thyme leaves.

BUTTERED PEAS & LEEKS

Steps:

• Gently soften the leeks in butter and oil in your largest pan for 15-20 mins until almost meltingly soft. You can soften the leeks up to a day ahead, then just reheat in the pan before continuing the recipe. Stir in the stock, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 mins. Stir in the peas and spring onions for 3-5 mins more until the peas are defrosted and cooked through, then season and serve.

HERBED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH BUTTERED LEEKS

Steps:

• In a large skillet bring the chicken broth and 2 Tbs butter to a gentle boil over medium heat.
• Cook leeks in the broth mixture over medium heat about 8 minutes, until tender with the broth boiled down enough that leeks are not completely submerged.
• Salt and pepper the chicken breasts and place on top of the simmering leeks, spooning some of leeks over the chicken.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook, covered, 10-15 minutes until done.
• Remove chicken and keep warm on a warmed platter.
• Increase the heat under the leeks to high and stir in the lemon juice, the remaining 2 Tbs butter, and the chopped herb. When the butter melts, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
• Pour the leek sauce over the chicken and serve.

DOVER SOLE WITH BUTTERED LEEKS & SHRIMPS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Lightly butter a large roasting tray and lay the fish in it side by side. Pour over the wine and dot the fish with any remaining butter. Season with salt and pepper, then bake for 15-20 mins or until the flesh just starts to come away from the bone.
• Meanwhile, cook the leeks in boiling salted water for 8-10 mins until soft, then drain. When the fish is ready, carefully lift onto a warm platter or plates. Place the roasting tray over a low flame, then heat the leeks and potted shrimps with the juices until the butter is melted. Stir through the chives, then serve alongside the fish with a few buttered new potatoes. To eat, simply lift the fillets away from the bone.

TARRAGON CHICKEN BREASTS WITH BUTTERED LEEKS

Steps:

• Put the leeks in a large skillet with the chicken broth and 2 tablespoons of the butter. Cook them at a gentle boil over medium heat until they are tender and the broth has boiled down far enough that the leeks are no longer completely submerged. This should take about 8 minutes. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Place them on top of the simmering leeks, spoon some of the leeks over the chicken, and cover the pan tightly. Reduce the heat to low. In 10 minutes test the chicken for doneness. It should feel firm when you press on it, and if you cut a slit into the thickest part of a breast, there should be no sign of translucence. If the breast piece are large, it could take as much as 15 minutes, but don't over cook them. When the chicken is done, lift the pieces from the leeks and put them on a warm platter. Increase the heat under the leeks to high and stir in the lemon juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the tarragon. When the butter melts, taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Pour the leek sauce over the chicken and serve.

BUTTERED LEEKS

Steps:

• 1. Thoroughly wash leeks. Trim to leave approximately as much green as there is white. Cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
• 2. Place leeks and butter into a large saucepan. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until leeks are tender but not mushy.
• 3. Drain and season to taste with salt and pepper. Melt a pat or two of additional butter over hot leeks, if desired.

BROILED LEEKS WITH BUTTERED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Trim leeks and discard most of dark-green parts. Cut leeks in half lengthwise and wash well, keeping halves intact. Steam leeks 15 minutes, or until tender. Arrange leeks, cut sides up, on a buttered baking sheet.
• Preheat broiler.
• In a small saucepan melt butter and stir in bread crumbs and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon bread crumb mixture onto leeks, patting down mixture with back of spoon to help adhere. Broil leeks 2 to 3 inches from heat until bread crumbs are golden brown, about 3 minutes.

BUTTERED STUFFING WITH CELERY AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Using your hands, tear bread, crust and all, into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces. (Alternatively, you can cut the bread with a knife, but I prefer the way the craggy bits toast and soak up the goods.) Place chunks on a rimmed baking sheet, and let sit uncovered at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. If you're short on time, you can toast the chunks in a 300-degree oven instead, tossing occasionally, until lightly crisped, but not browned, on the outside.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine olive oil and 4 tablespoons butter. Once butter has melted, add the garlic and leeks. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are bright green and totally softened, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add celery, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until bright green and tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add white wine, and cook until reduced by about three-quarters, 3 to 4 minutes. Add red-pepper flakes, if using, and remove from heat.
• Whisk together broth and eggs in a medium bowl. Place bread in a large bowl (you want a lot of room for mixing, so go big), and add the leek and celery mixture, parsley, chives and marjoram. Stir to coat so that everything is evenly distributed, trying not to totally crush the bread. Pour the egg mixture over everything and toss a few times. Let sit a minute or two and give another toss. Repeat twice until all the liquid has absorbed and evenly distributed to each and every piece of bread.
• Transfer mixture to a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish (a 9-by-13 pan also works), making sure not to pack it too tightly. (You want to keep the bread in the stuffing as light as possible.) Dot the top with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, making sure to pay extra attention to the corners, where the stuffing will get the crispiest.
• Cover with foil and bake until the stuffing is sizzling at the edges and completely cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. If it's not yet time to serve, remove stuffing from oven and set aside. (If you are nearly ready to serve, proceed directly to the next step and continue without pausing.)
• When ready to serve, remove foil and increase temperature to 425 degrees. Bake stuffing until crispy, crunchy and impossibly golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes. Scatter with celery leaves, if using, and serve.

BUTTERED LEEKS

Steps:

• Lightly saute the onion and garlic in a little of the butter until onion mix has softened.
• Place the leeks into salted, boiling water, reduce the heat to simmer and cook 2-3 minutes. Drain the leeek and refresh in icy cold water.
• Place the leek in a greased shallow casserole dish, dot with the butter and sprinkle with seasoning. Cover with lid or foil and cook at 180c for 20 minutes.
• Serve hot.