This Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce recipe is simple to follow and makes a delicious dish with soft leeks and a creamy cheese sauce. This dish can be made in about 45 minutes with just a few simple ingredients: leeks, butter, flour, milk, Caerphilly cheese, and breadcrumbs. It serves 4 people, making it a perfect side dish for any occasion.
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💗 Discover the Joy Of Cooking with This Recipe:
- Creamy comfort. Rich cheese sauce coats tender leeks.
- Easy to make. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps
- Versatile dish. Perfect as a side or main.
- Cheesy delight. Caerphilly cheese and breadcrumbs add crunch and flavor.
❓ What Is Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce?
Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce is a creamy and flavorful dish made with tender leeks cooked in a rich Caerphilly cheese sauce. It’s a comforting and indulgent recipe named after the renowned British chef, Delia Smith.
🧀 Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce Ingredients
- 1 kg leeks trimmed, washed, and cut into 3cm lengths
- 50 g butter
- 25 g plain flour
- 300 ml milk
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- pinch nutmeg
- 125 g Caerphilly Cheese
- 25 g fresh breadcrumbs (1oz)
👩🍳 Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce Instructions
- For 5 to 10 minutes, until just soft, steam 1 kg (2 lb) of leeks.
Make The Cheese Sauce
- In a small pot, melt 25g (1oz) of butter and stir in 25g (1oz) of flour. Take the flour off the heat after cooking it for about one minute over low heat.
- Add 300ml (½pt) of milk slowly while stirring well. Bring the sauce back to low heat and stir it around until it gets thicker.
- Add most of the 125g (5oz) cheese crumbles to the pan and keep cooking, turning all the time, until the cheese melts.
- Add salt, pepper, and a little nutmeg to taste.
To Complete
- Put the leeks in a small dish that can go in the oven and drain them well. Then, pour the cheese sauce over the leeks.
- Place 25g (1oz) of breadcrumbs on top of the sauce, and then add the rest of the cheese. Put the rest of the butter on top of the dish and cook it under a hot grill until it turns yellow.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Use cold butter. To make the flaky pastry, use cold butter.
- Don’t overwork the dough. Avoid overmixing and lightly handling the pastry to avoid hardness.
- Chill before rolling. Rolling out the dough is easier after refrigerating it for 30 minutes.
- Blind bake the crust. Pre-bake the crust before filling to avoid a soggy bottom.
- Adjust baking time. To get the required golden hue, watch the pastry during baking. varied ovens require slightly varied cooking times.
🍖 Serving Ideas For This leek In Cheese Sauce?
Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked salmon serve it alongside a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
🎚 Storage Guidelines For Leeks In Cheese Sauce?
- In The Fridge. To store traditional Delia Smith leeks in cheese sauce, refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- In The Freezer. To freeze, cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leeks In Cheese Sauce?
- In The Oven. Place the dish in a preheated oven at a low temperature, covering it with foil to prevent drying.
- On The Stovetop. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
- In The Microwave. Use short bursts of low power, stirring in between, to prevent overheating and maintain texture.
FAQs
Should You Boil Leeks?
Yes, boiling leeks is a common cooking method. It helps to soften the leeks and remove any bitterness. Boil them until tender but still slightly firm.
What Other Types Of Cheese Can I Use Instead Of Caerphilly?
You can substitute Caerphilly cheese with other semi-hard cheeses like Cheddar, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. Choose a cheese that melts well and complements the flavors of the dish.
How Do I Prevent The Cheese Sauce From Curdling?
To prevent curdling, ensure that the heat is low and gradually add the cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly. Avoid overheating or boiling the sauce.
Can I Add Other Vegetables To The Dish?
Yes, you can add other vegetables like carrots, peas, or mushrooms to the Leeks In Cheese Sauce recipe. Simply cook them separately and combine them with the leeks and cheese sauce before serving.
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Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 274kcal
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 43mg
- Sodium: 364mg
- Potassium: 403mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 9g
- Vitamin A: 3158IU
- Vitamin C: 20mg
- Calcium: 272mg
- Iron: 4mg
Are You Looking For Best Delia Smith Cookbooks ? Here Are Top 5 Best Seller Delia Smith Cookbooks You Should Have:
- Delia Smith’s Winter Collection: 150 Recipes for Winter
- Delia Smith’s Summer Collection: 140 Recipes for Summer
- Delia’s How to Cheat at Cooking (recommended)
- Delia’s Vegetarian Collection: Over 250 Recipes
- The Delia Collection: Baking
Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce
Description
This Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce recipe is simple to follow and makes a delicious dish with soft leeks and a creamy cheese sauce. This dish can be made in about 45 minutes with just a few simple ingredients: leeks, butter, flour, milk, Caerphilly cheese, and breadcrumbs. It serves 4 people, making it a perfect side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- For 5 to 10 minutes, until just soft, steam 1 kg (2 lb) of leeks.
- In a small pot, melt 25g (1oz) of butter and stir in 25g (1oz) of flour. Take the flour off the heat after cooking it for about one minute over low heat.
- Add 300ml (½pt) of milk slowly while stirring well. Bring the sauce back to low heat and stir it around until it gets thicker.
- Add most of the 125g (5oz) cheese crumbles to the pan and keep cooking, turning all the time, until the cheese melts.
- Add salt, pepper, and a little nutmeg to taste.
- Put the leeks in a small dish that can go in the oven and drain them well. Then, pour the cheese sauce over the leeks.
- Place 25g (1oz) of breadcrumbs on top of the sauce, and then add the rest of the cheese.
- Put the rest of the butter on top of the dish and cook it under a hot grill until it turns yellow.
Make The Cheese Sauce
To Complete
Notes
- Use cold butter. To make the flaky pastry, use cold butter.
- Don’t overwork the dough. Avoid overmixing and lightly handling the pastry to avoid hardness.
- Chill before rolling. Rolling out the dough is easier after refrigerating it for 30 minutes.
- Blind bake the crust. Pre-bake the crust before filling to avoid a soggy bottom.
- Adjust baking time. To get the required golden hue, watch the pastry during baking. varied ovens require slightly varied cooking times.