Feast your eyes on the delectable leek gratin with bread crumbs and bacon, a culinary masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. This dish is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, featuring tender leeks enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with a golden-brown bread crumb and bacon crust. It's a perfect side dish to accompany your favorite protein, or can be enjoyed as a hearty vegetarian main course. This recipe is a comprehensive guide that takes you through the process of making this dish from start to finish, ensuring that even novice cooks can achieve gratin perfection. Along with the main recipe, you'll also find variations that cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. Whether you're a cheese lover seeking a cheesy delight or a bacon enthusiast craving a smoky twist, these variations have got you covered. So, get ready to embark on a culinary journey and indulge in the irresistible flavors of leek gratin with bread crumbs and bacon.
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LEEK AND SPRING ONION GRATIN
Lighter than a potato gratin, but still luscious from heavy cream and cheese, this allium-rich dish has a crunchy bread crumb and anchovy topping to take it over the top. If you can't find spring onions - newly harvested onions often sold with the green stems still attached - use regular onions or shallots. Or try red onions for a shot of bright color among the soft greens and golds in the pan. Serve this as a side dish with grilled or roasted meats or fish.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, lunch, casseroles, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place a rack in the top third of oven and heat to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss scallions, green garlic, salt and pepper.
- Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Arrange the leeks cut-side down in the skillet, then scatter spring onions in the gaps. Sprinkle a little more salt on top, then spread scallion mixture in an even layer in pan. Pour in 1/4 cup water and top with butter.
- Cover and and simmer on low heat until vegetables are soft, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Uncover the pan, turn heat to medium-high and cook until liquid is evaporated and edges are starting to brown and sizzle, 5 to 10 minutes longer.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, rub together anchovies, Parmesan, panko, thyme, lemon zest and red pepper flakes. Drizzle in oil and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle Gruyère evenly into skillet over leeks, pour in cream, then top with the bread crumb mixture. Drizzle with a little more oil. Transfer to oven and bake until golden and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly, then serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 372, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 31 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 18 grams, Sodium 380 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEEK GRATIN
This cheesy leek side dish goes well with our Brandied Ham.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Halve leeks lengthwise, leaving halves attached at root, and rinse well, shaking off water.
- In a large skillet, combine cream and leeks; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high; reduce to a medium simmer, cover, and cook 5 minutes. Uncover and simmer until leeks are tender, 15 minutes. Transfer leeks and sauce to a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
- Sprinkle with cheese and bake until golden and bubbling, about 35 minutes. Let gratin rest 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 251 g, Fat 21 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g
LEEKS AU GRATIN
Mild-flavored leeks and Gruyère cheese offer a refreshing taste variation in this baked side dish usually reserved for potatoes and Cheddar cheese.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and side of shallow 2-quart casserole. Cut leeks into 1/2-inch pieces. In 3-quart saucepan, heat 2 inches water to boiling. Add leeks. Cover and cook over medium heat about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.
- In 2-quart saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Cook flour, salt and pepper over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in leeks. Pour into casserole.
- In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and 2 teaspoons butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
- Bake uncovered about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 270 mg
LEEK GRATIN WITH BREAD CRUMBS & BACON
Steps:
- Using scissors, clip the leeks dark outer leaves. Remove root ends, quarter leeks lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 2 inch pieces. Soak leeks in 2 changes of water to remove grit; drain well. Heat 2 TBSP of the oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add leeks; season with salt and pepper and saute' until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl and mix in cream, cheese, dill and parsley. Wipe out skillet and place over medium low heat. Add bacon and fry until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and stir into leeks. Turn leek mixture into a 9 inch pie plate or similar size pan. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium low heat. Toss remaining oil with bread crumbs, garlic, and a dash of salt and pepper. Add to skillet and toast until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle over leeks. Bake until bubbly and golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
CABBAGE AND LEEK GRATIN
I love this next to any roast meat, brisket or silver side. It's a nice change in veggies on the plate.
Provided by Jaded spoon
Categories Other Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 180*C/375*F. Remove any old and tatty looking leaves from the outside of your head of cabbage. Cut it into quarters and remove the core. Shred coarsely.
- 2. Trim the leeks, cut in half and wash them thoroughly. Shred them coarsely as well. Mix them into the cabbage.
- 3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the vegetables. Bring back to the boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes, just until barely tender. Drain in a colander. Make sure you get as much water out as you can. You don't want any to dilute the delicious cream sauce.
- 4. Make your cream sauce by melting the 3 TBS of butter in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring over medium heat, for about one minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and nicely thickened. Season to taste with some salt, pepper and grated nutmeg. Add a splash of hot pepper sauce to taste.
- 5. Put the cabbage mixture into a buttered shallow dish. Pour the cream sauce over top and allow it to soak in for a few minutes, while you make the crumbs for on top
- 6. Melt the 2 TBS of butter and then stir in the bread crumbs, mixing all together well. Sprinkle the buttered crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until nicely bubbling and the crumbs are lightly browned on top. Note - I sometimes add a cup of grated gruyere cheese, plus 1 heaping TBS of grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce to give it a rich and cheesy flavour. You may also add some grated cheese on top if you wish.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful leeks, crispy bacon, and a creamy, rich cheese sauce are essential for the best leek gratin.
- Don't overcook the leeks: They should be tender but still have a bit of bite.
- Make sure the cheese sauce is thick and creamy: Use a good quality cheese that melts well and add enough flour to thicken the sauce.
- Use a combination of cheeses: This will give the gratin a more complex flavor. Try using a combination of cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Don't skimp on the bread crumbs: They add a nice crunchy texture to the gratin.
- Bake the gratin until it is golden brown and bubbly: This will ensure that it is cooked through and has a nice crispy crust.
Conclusion:
This leek gratin is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or side dish. It is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its creamy, cheesy sauce, tender leeks, and crispy bread crumbs, this gratin is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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