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Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 8 medium size leeks
  • 100g gruyere or any tasty melting cheese

For the white sauce

  • 25g butter
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 Tbsp grain mustard
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1-2 grates freshly grated nutmeg

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LEEK GRATIN

leek gartain

Method

To make the white sauce :

  •  In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Cook until the mixture turns a light, golden sandy colour, about 6 to 7 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan until it almost boiling. Add the hot milk to the butter mixture ½ cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth.
  • Cook 10 minutes over a low heat, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. 
  • Season with salt, mustard and nutmeg, set aside until ready to use.

 

Bake leeks :

  • Preheat the oven to 200C.
  • Half fill a suitable size pot with water and season with salt. Bring to the boil whilst you prepare the leeks.
  • Trim off most of the dark green of the leek and tidy the other end if need be, but remember to keep the root end together.
  • Wash the leeks well under running cold water and drain.
  • Cook in the boiling water until tender (5-8 minutes) remove carefully as you want to keep the leeks whole.
  • Drain well on a clean cloth, gently squeezing out excess moisture.
  • Lay the leeks either in one large oven proof dish or in individual ones.
  • Coat with the white sauce and sprinkle generously with the cheese and a little cracked pepper.

Comments

Now we’re talking; sweet tender leeks smothered in a creamy cheese sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. Need I say more?