Best 3 Grilled Braised Leeks Recipes

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**Grilled and Braised Leeks: A Culinary Symphony of Sweetness and Smoky Goodness**

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the humble leek, transformed into a symphony of flavors through two distinct cooking methods: grilling and braising. Discover the secrets behind tender and caramelized grilled leeks, kissed with smoky aromas, and the rich, velvety embrace of braised leeks, infused with aromatic broth. Whether you seek a vibrant side dish or an elegant vegetarian main course, these recipes will guide you towards culinary mastery.

Let's cook with our recipes!

TURKISH-STYLE BRAISED LEEKS



Turkish-Style Braised Leeks image

Provided by John Willoughby

Categories     dinner, weekday, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 pounds leeks about 8 large or 10 medium, white and light green parts only
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 large or 5 small carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into strips about 1 inch long
1 cup chicken stock or water
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 dozen black olives, pitted and halved
1/4 cup roughly chopped parsley leaves

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 289, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 347 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams

BRAISED LEEKS WITH PARMESAN



Braised Leeks With Parmesan image

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

6 leeks, not too thick if possible
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine, like sauvignon blanc
1 1/2 ounces Parmesan, freshly grated (1/3 cup)

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

SIMPLE BRAISED LEEKS



Simple Braised Leeks image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Vegetables

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 small leeks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc
Finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, for serving

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.

Tips:

  • Choose the right leeks: Select firm, unblemished leeks with tightly closed leaves. Avoid any with yellowing or wilted leaves.
  • Trim the leeks properly: Cut off the root end and the dark green leaves, leaving only the white and light green parts.
  • Wash the leeks thoroughly: Rinse the leeks under cold water to remove any dirt or grit.
  • Use a grill pan or outdoor grill: A grill pan is a great option for indoor grilling, while an outdoor grill provides a smoky flavor.
  • Grill the leeks over medium heat: This will help prevent them from burning.
  • Braise the leeks in a flavorful liquid: Use a combination of broth, wine, and herbs to create a delicious braising liquid.
  • Cook the leeks until they are tender: This should take about 20 minutes.
  • Serve the leeks immediately: They can be enjoyed on their own or as a side dish.

Conclusion:

Grilled braised leeks are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. With their smoky grilled flavor and tender texture, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to prepare leeks, give this recipe a try!

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