Parsnip Soup with Leeks and Parsley

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 3 leeks, white and pale green parts only, sliced lengthwise, cleaned, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds parsnips, peeled and chopped
• 2 strips lemon zest, 1 x 2 inches each
• 1-2 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups chicken stock (use vegetable stock for vegetarian option)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups finely chopped fresh parsley (reserve a little for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Pepper to taste

METHOD

1 Heat butter in a 4 to 6 quart pot on medium heat. Add the chopped leeks, toss to coat with the butter. When the leeks are heated enough so they begin to sizzle in the pan, lower the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook until soft, but don't let the leeks brown.

2 Add the parsnips and olive oil, and toss to coat. Sprinkle on the salt. Add the stock and water. Add the strips of lemon zest. Bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer. Cover and cook until the parsnips are completely tender, at least 30 minutes.

3 Remove and discard the lemon zest. Add the parsley. Purée the soup until smooth, either by using an immersion blender or by working in batches with a stand-up blender. If using a standing blender, fill the bowl no more than halfway, hold the cover on the blender bowl, and start blending at the lowest speed. Return the puréed soup to the pot.

4 Stir in lemon juice and add more salt to taste, if needed.

Garnish with freshly ground black pepper, a little olive oil, and chopped parsley or chives. 

Recipe found at: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/parsnip_soup_with_leeks_and_parsley/

Provençal Summer Vegetables

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 cups thinly sliced leeks, rinsed and well drained
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 large tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 small summer squash or zucchini, sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick
• 1 small eggplant, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1/3 cup finely shredded Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
3. Layer tomatoes, summer squash (or zucchini) and eggplant slices in an alternating shingle pattern over the leek mixture (they will overlap quite a bit). If you have extra vegetable slices, save them for another use. Sprinkle the vegetables with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
4. Bake the vegetables for 1 1/4 hours. Sprinkle cheese and marjoram over the top. Continue baking until the edges are browned and the vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes more. Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe found at: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/provencal_summer_vegetables.html

Carrot, Leek, and Parsley Mash Recipe

Ingredients

5 pounds carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium leek, white and pale green parts only, halved lengthwise, rinsed, and thinly sliced crosswise (about3/4 cup)

3/4 cup half-and-half, at room temperature

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Directions

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Once water boils, add carrots and cook until very tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Drain carrots and let sit, undisturbed, so they “steam dry” for a few minutes. Return pot to stovetop over medium-low heat and add butter. Once butter foams, add leeks, season well with salt and freshly ground pepper, and cook until leeks are soft and wilted, about 2 minutes.

Add carrots and stir to coat. Pour in half-and-half and, using a potato masher or large fork, coarsely mash up the mixture. Mix in parsley, taste and adjust seasoning as needed, and serve.

Recipe found at: http://www.chow.com/recipes/11577-carrot-leek-and-parsley-mash

Mashed Potato and Kale Cakes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds russet potatoes (about 6), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 leek (white and light-green parts only), halved lengthwise, rinsed well, and thinly sliced
• 1 bunch kale (3/4 pound), tough stems and ribs removed, leaves coarsely chopped
• 1/2 pound bacon, diced medium or veggies
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

1. In a large pot, bring potatoes to a boil in salted water over high, then reduce to a rapid simmer. Add leek and kale and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes. Drain; transfer to a large bowl.
2. In a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to bowl with vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. With a fork, mash potato mixture until a few lumps remain. With your hands, form into 12 patties.
3. Pour off fat from skillet and wipe clean; add butter and melt over medium. In batches, cook cakes until golden on both sides, about 6 minutes, flipping once.

 

 

Parsnip and Fennel Soup With Dill

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 leeks (white and light green parts), sliced into half-moons
• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1⁄4-inch pieces
• 1 large bulb fennel, cored and cut into 1⁄4-inch pieces
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces
• 5 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 small baguette, split horizontally
• 2 ounces grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese (1⁄2 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks, parsnips, fennel, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Add the potatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Transfer half the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Return it to the pot.
5. Meanwhile, heat broiler. Place the bread, cut-side up, on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the cheese. Broil until the cheese melts. Cut into pieces.
6. Sprinkle the soup with the dill and serve with the cheese toast.

Recipe found at: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/parsnip-fennel-soup-dill-00000000044723/index.html

Roasted Pear-Butternut Soup with Crumbled Stilton

Ingredients

• 2 ripe pears, peeled, quartered and cored
• 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch chunks
• 2 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered
• 1 large leek, pale green and white parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced and washed thoroughly
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 4 cups vegetable broth, or reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
• 2/3 cup crumbled Stilton, or other blue-veined cheese
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives, or scallion greens.

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine pears, squash, tomatoes, leek, garlic, oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a large bowl; toss to coat. Spread evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 40 to 55 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3. Place half the vegetables and 2 cups broth in a blender; puree until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan. Puree the remaining vegetables and 2 cups broth. Add to the pan and stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Cook the soup over medium-low heat, stirring, until hot, about 10 minutes. Divide among 6 bowls and garnish with cheese and chives (or scallion greens). 

Recipe found at: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/roasted_pear_butternut_soup_with_crumbled_stilton.html

Goat Cheese and Leek Quiche

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) frozen pie crust (in pie pan), thawed 10 minutes
• 2 leeks (about 1 pound), trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup (2%) milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or chives
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled

Method:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick crust all over with a fork. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until just golden, about 15 minutes. Set crust aside and reduce oven temperature to 375°F.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add leeks and simmer until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain leeks thoroughly.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, tarragon, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Spread leeks in bottom of crust and dot with goat cheese. Pour egg mixture over the top and bake until puffed in the center and lightly browned, 40 to 50 minutes. Set aside to let cool until warm or serve at room temperature.
Recipe found at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/goat-cheese-and-leek-quiche

 

Mushroom-Leek Pizza

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 sliced leek
• 1 sliced garlic clove
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms (5 ounces)
• Coarse salt
• 2 pitas
• 4 tablespoons ricotta
• Red-pepper flakes

Directions

1. Set oven to 425 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add leek and garlic and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add mushrooms, and cook about 2 minutes more. Season with salt. Place pitas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread each with 2 tablespoons ricotta, drizzle with olive oil, and top with vegetables. Bake until the pita is golden and cheese begins to melt, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with red-pepper flakes.

Leek Soup

1 leek
1 sweet apple
2-3 potatoes
3 celery stalk
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
cooking oil
pepper
salted crackers (optional)
cilantro (optional)

Part 1 (15 min)
Chop the top of the leek off . Slice the leek and celery. Peel and slice the potatoes and apple. Measure out the milk and the chicken broth and make sure you have all the ingredients.

Part 2 (45 min)
Add about 2 teaspoons of oil in a pot. Turn the stove to high heat. Add the sliced leek and cook for about 3 min. Add the chicken broth and the rest of the vegetables. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix. Cover and let it simmer on low to medium heat for 20 min until the potatoes are soft. Turn off the heat, open the cover, and let the soup cool down to room temperature (takes about 15 min).

Part 3 (15 min)
With a soup ladle, transfer the contents of the soup into a blender. Cover and blend for 20 seconds. You may have to do this multiple times depending on the size of your blender. If that's the case, just transfer the blended mix into a different bowl and keep adding the soup content to blend. Add the blended soup back into the pot. Add the milk. Warm up the soup by turning the stove on medium heat and stir the soup for about 5 min.

Serve with pepper, salted crackers, and diced up cilantro (optional).