Best Crispy Leeks Recipes

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Put asparagus on a rimmed sheet pan and toss with 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well coated.
• In a small bowl, stir together leeks, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Sprinkle leeks on top of asparagus, then sprinkle with capers. Roast until asparagus are tender and golden brown, about 12 to 18 minutes.
• While the asparagus stalks roast, make the mustard sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, capers and garlic. Slowly whisk in olive oil a few drops at a time to create a thick, emulsified dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Once asparagus stalks are out of the oven, squeeze a lemon wedge over it and sprinkle parsley on top. Serve with mustard sauce and more lemon wedges on the side.

COLCANNON WITH CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the potatoes with enough water to cover them by 2 inches and a large pinch of salt. Boil until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, 15 to 25 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter, along with a drizzle of oil, then add leeks and a pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for 5 or so minutes. When the leeks are golden, spoon some out onto a plate to use for garnish.
• To the leeks in the pan, add the garlic cloves, and cook them for a minute until fragrant. Then, toss in the greens. Season with more salt and cook, tossing them, until the greens are wilted and very tender. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of water.
• Now add the potatoes to the skillet and mash them (so they're either smooth or chunky), and add some milk or vegetable broth, if you like, and a lot of butter. Taste, and add more salt and lots of pepper. Scatter on the fried leeks and more butter to melt in little pools across the top.
• Top with a fried egg or some smoked salmon, or serve a simple green salad on the side.

BAKED POLENTA WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9-by-9-inch baking dish. In a large pot, bring stock, 2 tablespoons butter and salt to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium, then slowly add polenta, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Scrape polenta into prepared dish, cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes.
• As polenta bakes, prepare the leeks: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 3 tablespoons oil, in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in leeks and a large pinch of salt, and cook until dark golden and crisped, stirring frequently, and lowering heat if they start to brown too quickly, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
• Remove polenta from oven. Stir in half the Gorgonzola, then cover again with foil, and let sit for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
• When ready to serve, taste polenta and stir in more salt, if needed (this will depend on how salty your cheese and stock are). Drizzle polenta with olive oil, and sprinkle with remaining Gorgonzola, crispy leeks, and parsley or basil.

CRISPY FRIED LEEKS

Steps:

• Pour peanut oil into heavy small saucepan to depth of 1 inch; heat to 350°F. Fry leeks in small batches until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer fried leeks to paper towels to drain.

CRISPY SKINNED CHESAPEAKE BAY ROCKFISH WITH HAYMAN SWEET POTATO, VIRGINIA COUNTRY HAM AND BLUE CRAB HASH, MELTED LEEKS AND MEYER LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the Meyer lemon butter: In a small saucepan, reduce the Meyer lemon juice until slightly syrupy. Stir in the heavy cream. Whisk in the cold cubed butter a few pieces at a time, not allowing the sauce to become cold or too hot to touch by hand. When all of the butter is incorporated, strain the sauce. If the sauce separates, pulse with an immersion blender to emulsify. Set aside and keep warm.
• For the hash: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, salt it generously. Trim the root end of the leek and halve lengthwise. Rinse very well under running water to flush out any grit trapped between the leaves. Slice leeks into 1/4-inch-thick pieces, put in a small strainer and dip in the boiling water. Cook until just tender, about 3 minutes, then plunge strainer and leeks in an ice water bath to cool. Drain and pat dry leeks, set aside. Repeat this procedure with the diced sweet potatoes, blanch until almost tender, about 3 minutes, then cool in the ice bath. Drain and pat dry, set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the blanched Hayman sweet potatoes leeks, sweat until very tender about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the leeks continue to cook until heated through. Add the crab and country ham, stirring gently until heated through. Add the fines herbes at the last minute. Season, to taste, with salt and white pepper. Set aside and keep warm while you prepare the fish.
• For the rockfish: Score the skin side of the fillets with a sharp knife, taking care not to cut too far into the flesh of the fish. Season with salt and white pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the clarified butter. Add the rockfish skin side down, sear until skin is golden and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, add the butter and thyme and bake until just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• In a bowl or plate, drizzle the warm Meyer lemon butter in a circle just inside the rim. Gently place the warm blue crab hash in the center of the plate. Place the rockfish on top of the hash with the crispy skin side up. Garnish with Meyer lemon segments or slices, if desired.

CHEAT'S PAPPARDELLE WITH SLOW-BRAISED LEEKS AND CRISPY PORCINI PANGRATTATO

Steps:

• Halve the leeks lengthways and cut at an angle into 1/2-inch slices. Heat a wide saucepan, add a splash of oil and a knob of butter, and when you hear a gentle sizzling add the sliced garlic, thyme leaves and leeks. Move the leeks around so every piece gets coated. Pour in the wine, season with pepper and stir in the stock. Cover the leeks with the slices of Parma ham, place a lid on the pan and cook gently for 25 to 30 minutes. Once the leeks are tender, take the pan off the heat.
• Whiz the mushrooms and bread with a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor until the mixture looks like bread crumbs. Heat a generous glug of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the garlic cloves and the rosemary and cook for a minute, then fry the bread crumbs in the oil until golden and crisp. Keep shaking the pan - don't let the bread crumbs catch on the bottom. Drain on paper towels, discard the rosemary and garlic and allow the bread crumbs to cool.
• Bring a big pan of salted water to the boil. Lay the lasagne sheets on a clean working surface and sprinkle with a little flour. Place the sheets on top of each other and slice into 1/2-inch strips. Toss through your fingers to shake out the pappardelle, then cook in the boiling water 2 minutes or until al dente.
• Remove the Parma ham from the saucepan, slice up and stir back into the leeks. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the Parmesan and the rest of the butter. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water, and add the pasta to the leeks. Add a little of the cooking water if need be, to give you a silky, smooth sauce. Serve quickly, sprinkled with some pangrattato, extra Parmesan and any leftover thyme tips. Serve the rest of the pangrattato in a bowl on the side.
• "Our agreement with the producers of "Jamie at Home" only permit us to make 2 recipes per episode available online. Food Network regrets the inconvenience to our viewers and foodnetwork.com users"

CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Cut leek in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise. Cut each quarter into long, thin strips. Rinse the strips in hot water and pat dry.
• Toss in a medium bowl with oil.
• In a small bowl combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle flour and spice mix over leeks; toss well to combine.
• Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice, until the leeks are crispy and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

POTATO CHOWDER WITH PAN-FRIED SCALLOPS AND CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and leeks and cook for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Add the potatoes, stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes are softened. Place the potato mixture in a food processor and process until smooth. Return the chowder to the saucepan, stir in the cream, season with the salt and pepper and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Heat a medium frying pan over high heat. Brush the scallops with olive oil and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the extra leeks and cook for 1 minute or until golden. Drain on absorbent paper. Top soup with scallops and leeks to serve.

ONE-POT MUJADARA WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND SPRING GREENS

Steps:

• Place lentils in a large bowl and add warm tap water to cover by 1 inch. Let soak.
• Meanwhile, halve leeks lengthwise; run under warm water to release any grit. Thinly slice leeks crosswise.
• Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer half the leeks to a bowl to use for garnish and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Stir garlic into the pot with the remaining leeks and cook for 15 seconds until fragrant. Stir in rice and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in cumin, allspice and cayenne; sauté 30 seconds.
• Drain lentils and stir into pot. Add 4-1/4 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Rinse greens in a colander and spread damp leaves over lentil mixture. Cover and cook 5 minutes more, until rice and lentils are tender and greens are wilted. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with reserved crispy leeks.

POTATO AND LEEK SOUP WITH CRISPY MASALA LEEKS

Steps:

• Slice three of the leeks. Julienne the fourth, and set it aside.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the sliced leeks and onion, cover and cook over low heat, stirring from time to time, until the vegetables are very soft but have not colored. Add the potatoes and chicken stock. Cover, and simmer about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are soft.
• Puree the leek and potato mixture in a food processor, and return it to the saucepan. Stir in the milk and cream, and bring the soup to a simmer. Season the soup with salt, and keep it at a low simmer.
• Mix the cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and nutmeg together, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a small deep pan until it is very hot but not smoking. Add the julienned leek, and cook until it is golden brown. Remove it with a slotted spoon to several thicknesses of paper towel to drain. Sprinkle it with 1/4 teaspoon of the spice mixture and a good pinch of salt.
• Sift the remaining spice mixture onto the soup through a fine strainer. Lightly swirl in the spices without thoroughly incorporating them, so that there are streaks of spice. Divide the hot soup among four dishes, top each with the spiced leeks, and serve.

CRISPY POTATOES AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tbls. of butter in a heavy large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; cook 3 minutes or until soft. Place in a large bowl and cool. Reserve skillet.
• Shred potatoes using food processor or grater, working quickly to avoid discoloration. Rinse potatoes under cold water; pat dry with paper towels. Place in the bowl with the leeks. Add green onions, salt, pepper and thyme. Toss to combine.
• Spray a 11"x7" baking dish with nonstick cookiing spray. Heat 1 1/2 tbls. of the butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil in the same skillet over medium high heat until melted and hot. Spoon half of the potato mixture into skillet, and cook 5-8 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown, stirring frequently. Spread evenly in baking dish. Repeat with remaining butter, oil, and potato mixture.(Potatoes can be made to this point oup to 1 day ahead. Bring to room temperature before reheating).
• Heat oven to 350*F. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Heat broiler; broil 4-6 minutes or until top is browned and slightly crisp. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!

ONEONE-POT MUJADARA WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND SPRING GREENS

Steps:

• Place lentils in a large bowl and add warm tap water to cover by 1 inch. Let soak. 2. Meanwhile, halve leeks lengthwise; run under warm water to release any grit. Thinly slice leeks crosswise. 3. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer half the leeks to a bowl to use for garnish and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. 4. Stir garlic into the pot with the remaining leeks and cook for 15 seconds until fragrant. Stir in rice and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in cumin, allspice and cayenne; sauté 30 seconds. 5. Drain lentils and stir into pot. Add 4 1/4 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Rinse greens in a colander and spread damp leaves over lentil mixture. Cover and cook 5 minutes more, until rice and lentils are tender and greens are wilted. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with reserved crispy leeks.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• 1.Preheat oven to 425°F. 2.Cut leek in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise. Cut each quarter into long, thin strips. Rinse the strips in hot water and pat dry. Toss in a medium bowl with 2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle flour, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt over the leeks; toss well to combine. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice, until the leeks are crispy and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the baking sheet until the scallops are done. 3.Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt with Italian seasoning, lemon zest and pepper in a small bowl. Pat scallops dry and sprinkle both sides with the seasoning mixture. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallops and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve the scallops with the crispy leeks on top.

SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH LEEKS, FAVA BEANS, CRISPY BREADCRUMBS, AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place bread in medium bowl. Drizzle oil over, tossing to coat. Scatter bread pieces on small rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Bake until bread is golden brown, stirring often, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm 3 minutes in 350°F oven before using.
• Cook fava beans in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 14 minutes. Drain. Whisk eggs, crème fraîche, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt in large bowl to blend.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over low heat. Add leeks. Sauté until tender but not brown, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Mix in fava beans. Increase heat to medium-high. Add egg mixture. Stir with heatproof spatula until eggs are almost set but still creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with pepper.
• Transfer egg mixture to platter. Sprinkle with crispy breadcrumbs. Grate Parmesan cheese over and serve.

LOBSTER SALAD WITH SAFFRON POTATOES AND CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• Cook lobster in boiling water for 3 1/2 minutes. Remove from water and set aside to cool.
• To make vinaigrette, in a deep bowl mix together sherry vinegar, olive oil, truffle oil, and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Heat 1/4-inch of oil in a deep saute pan to 350 degrees F.
• To prepare the leeks, boil in water for 1 minute. Dry the leeks completely then fry them in the oil until crispy. Remove from pan immediately, drain on a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
• To prepare the potato, peel in a cylindrical shape. Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add a pinch of saffron. Add the potato and cook until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Slice the potato into 5 (1/2-inch thick) medallions. Place in a bowl with shallots, 1/2 of the chives and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Add the truffle. Toss potatoes with the vinaigrette a few times to marinate. Place potatoes in the center of a plate.
• Shell the lobster and cut the meat into 1/2-inch medallions. Place the lobster in a bowl and toss with 3 to 4 tablespoons of vinaigrette. Heat lobster by placing the bowl in hot water for approximately 1 minute. Place lobster on top of potatoes. Place leeks on top of lobster. Finish the plate with a pinch of lobster roe and the rest of the chopped chives.

NOODLES WITH SLOW-BRAISED LEEKS AND CRISPY PORCINI PANGRATTATO

Steps:

• Halve the leeks lengthways and cut at an angle into 1/2-inch slices. Heat a wide saucepan, add a splash of oil and a knob of the butter, and when you can hear a gentle sizzling add the sliced garlic, thyme leaves and leeks. Move the leeks around so every piece gets coated. Pour in the wine, season with pepper and stir in the stock. Cover the leeks with the slices of Parma ham, place a lid on the pan and cook gently for about 25 to 30 minutes. Once the leeks are tender, take the pan off the heat. To make the pangrattato, whiz the mushrooms and bread with a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Heat a generous glug of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the garlic cloves and the rosemary and cook for a minute, then fry the breadcrumbs in the oil until golden and crisp. Keep shaking the pan - don't let the breadcrumbs catch on the bottom. Drain on kitchen paper, discard the rosemary and garlic, and allow the breadcrumbs to cool. Bring a big pan of salted water to the boil. Lay the lasagna sheets on a clean working surface and sprinkle with a little flour. Place the sheets on top of each other and slice into 1/2-inch strips. Toss through your fingers to shake out the pappardelle, then cook in the boiling water for 2 minutes or until al dente. Remove the Parma ham from the saucepan, slice up and stir back into the leeks. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the Parmesan and the rest of the butter. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water, and add the pasta to the leeks. Add a little of the cooking water if need be, to give you a silky, smooth sauce. Serve quickly, sprinkled with some pangrattato, extra Parmesan and any leftover thyme tips. Serve the rest of the pangrattato in a bowl on the side.

BABY PEAS WITH BACON AND CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• 1 - wash leeks well and pat dry. Heat ½" oil in large saucepan until shimmering. Add all but ½ c. leeks and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt & pepper. (Discard oil) 2 - cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble. 3 - add remaining ½ c. leeks and thyme to bacon fat and cook until leeks are softened (8 minutes). Add ½ c. broth and cook until reduced by half (7 minutes) add heavy cream and reduce by half. Stir in peas, crumbled bacon and remaining ½ c. broth and bring to boil. Discard thyme. Add salt & pepper and cornstarch mixture. Cook until slightly thickened, 3-4 minutes. Serve, topped with crispy leeks.

BUTTERY BRAISED LEEKS WITH A CRISPY PANKO TOPPING

Steps:

• Melt the butter and olive oil over a medium-high flame in a large sauté pan. Once the oil and butter are hot, place the leeks cut side down into the pan. Let the leeks brown in the pan for 4-5 minutes. Carefully flip the leeks over and turn the heat on low. Cover and let the leeks braise for about 25-30 minutes or until the leeks are soft all the way through. Take the leeks off the heat and squirt the lemon juice over the braised leeks and add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the panko topping. 2. For the panko topping: Combine panko with parsley, Parmesan, and salt and pepper in a small dish. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast this mixture until golden brown. Serve over the leeks. Make sure that you taste the panko mixture for correct seasonings to ensure that the dish is seasoned all the way through.

SEARED SCALLOPS W/ CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• Cut leek in 1/2 lengthwise, then cut each piece in 1/2 crosswise. Cut each quarter into long, thins strips. Soak strips in cold water, about 30 minutes to release all grit & sand from leeks. Pat dry.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Toss leeks in a medium bowl with 2 tsp oil. Sprinkle flour, paprika 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder & 1/4 tsp salt over leeks; toss to combine. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake, stirring twice, until the leeks are crispy & golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let stand on baking sheet until scallops are done.
• Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, italian seasoning, lemon zest & pepper in a small bowl.
• Pat scallops dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with seasoning mixture. Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add scallops & cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes each side.
• Serve scallops with crispy leeks on top.