Silky Leeks in Cheese Sauce Recipe: A Comfort Food Dream

Creamy leeks in cheese sauce bring comfort to your dinner table with surprising elegance.

Soft green vegetables melt into a rich, velvety embrace that transforms an ordinary side dish.

Cheese creates a luxurious blanket wrapping each tender slice of leek.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this simple yet sophisticated combination of ingredients.

Subtle onion-like flavors dance alongside sharp dairy notes, creating perfect harmony on your plate.

Home cooks adore how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal effort.

Fresh herbs can add an extra layer of complexity to this classic preparation.

You’ll want to savor every delectable spoonful of this irresistible culinary creation.

Why Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce Are Loved

• Craft Comfort Quickly: This leeks in cheese sauce recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious side dish that feels like a warm hug from your kitchen.
• Impress with Minimal Effort: Minimal cooking skills required, yet the result looks and tastes professionally prepared, making you feel like a culinary star.
• Customize Your Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by switching cheeses or adding herbs, giving you flexibility to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or as a sophisticated vegetable side that even veggie-hesitant eaters will enjoy.

Ingredients Needed for Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

• Leeks: Fresh, mild-flavored vegetables that provide a delicate onion-like taste and tender texture for this dish.
• Milk: Creamy liquid that forms the base of the smooth cheese sauce.
• Cheese: Adds rich, tangy flavor and creates a luxurious coating for the leeks.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce base.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce and helps create a consistent, creamy texture.

• Breadcrumbs, Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg: These seasonings and garnish add extra flavor and create a golden, crispy top layer for the dish.

How to Cook Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Leeks

Trim the green tops and root ends of the leeks. Slice them lengthwise and rinse thoroughly under running water to remove any hidden dirt between the layers. Shake off excess water.

Step 2: Steam Leeks

Place prepared leeks in a steamer basket. Steam for 5-10 minutes until they become tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and drain completely, allowing excess moisture to drip away.

Step 3: Create Roux Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into the melted butter and whisk continuously for about a minute. This creates a smooth, golden roux that will help thicken the sauce.

Step 4: Build Creamy Cheese Sauce

Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. Reduce heat to low.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce Flavor

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Ground nutmeg

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 6: Assemble Dish

Transfer steamed leeks to a baking dish, arranging them in an even layer. Pour the warm cheese sauce evenly over the leeks, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 7: Add Crispy Topping

Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Scatter breadcrumbs for added crunch. Dot the surface with small pieces of butter to help achieve a golden, crispy finish.

Step 8: Grill to Perfection

Place the baking dish under the grill. Cook until the top turns golden brown and the sauce begins to bubble around the edges. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 9: Serve Immediately

Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes. Serve hot as a delightful side dish or light main course.

Tips for Success with Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

• Choose Fresh Leeks: Select firm, bright green leeks with crisp white bases for the best flavor and texture.
• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk milk gradually and continuously to create a smooth, velvety cheese sauce without any clumps.
• Drain Leeks Completely: Pat steamed leeks dry with paper towels to prevent watery sauce and ensure crisp topping.
• Season Strategically: Taste the cheese sauce before adding salt, as cheese already contains sodium; adjust seasonings carefully.
• Experiment with Cheese Varieties: Swap cheddar for gruyère or parmesan to create different flavor profiles and add complexity to the dish.

Unique Ways to Make Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

• Vegan Leek Gratin: Replace butter with olive oil, use plant-based milk, and swap cheese for nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives.
• Low-Carb Leek Casserole: Skip breadcrumbs, use almond flour for topping, and substitute milk with heavy cream for a keto-friendly version.
• Herb-Infused Leek Bake: Add fresh thyme, rosemary, or tarragon to the cheese sauce for an aromatic herbal upgrade.
• Gluten-Free Leek Dish: Use cornstarch instead of flour, gluten-free breadcrumbs, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Side Pairings for Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

• Savor Complementary Flavor Companions: Pairing Ideas for Leeks in Cheese Sauce
• Match Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the creamy cheese sauce's richness and complement the delicate leek flavor.
• Serve with Roasted Protein: Accompany the dish with herb-crusted roasted chicken or pan-seared white fish to create a balanced and satisfying meal that enhances the leeks' subtle sweetness.
• Create Textural Contrast: Add a side of crusty sourdough bread or toasted baguette slices to provide a crunchy counterpoint to the smooth, velvety cheese sauce and tender leeks.

Storage Tips for Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

• Store leftover leeks in cheese sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Transfer cooled leeks to a freezer-safe container, seal well, and freeze for maximum 1 month. Avoid freezing if sauce contains cream or has separated.
• Warm individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of milk to restore sauce's creamy consistency.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leeks in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly. Uncover last 5 minutes to crisp up breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked About Delia Smith Leeks In Cheese Sauce

• What are leeks, and how do they differ from onions?

Leeks are mild, sweet members of the onion family with a delicate flavor. They have a softer taste compared to regular onions and are often used in French and British cuisine.

• Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the original cheese with gruyère, cheddar, or gouda. Each cheese will provide a slightly different flavor profile to the dish.

• Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This leeks in cheese sauce recipe is completely vegetarian and can be easily adapted to be vegetarian-friendly by using plant-based butter and milk alternatives.

Leeks In Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Leeks in Cheese Sauce elevate simple vegetables into a luxurious French-inspired side dish that whispers comfort and elegance. Velvety leeks nestle under a golden, rich cheese blanket, promising to delight you with each sublime, indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) leeks, trimmed, washed, and cut into 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) lengths
• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) Caerphilly cheese, crumbled

Sauce Ingredients:

• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) butter
• 25 grams (0.9 ounces) plain flour
• 300 milliliters (10.1 fluid ounces) milk
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Topping Ingredient:

• 25 grams (0.9 ounces) fresh breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Carefully trim and wash leeks, ensuring no dirt remains between layers.
2. Position leeks vertically in a steamer, maintaining even arrangement. Steam at medium heat for 8-10 minutes until vegetables become tender but retain slight firmness.
3. Drain leeks completely, gently pressing out excess moisture with kitchen towel.
4. Create roux by melting butter in heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low temperature, whisking flour smoothly into melted butter for approximately 60 seconds.
5. Gradually introduce milk, continuously stirring with whisk to prevent lumps from forming. Simmer sauce until it thickens and coats back of spoon, approximately 3-4 minutes.
6. Incorporate majority of cheese into sauce, stirring until completely melted. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper, and delicate hint of nutmeg.
7. Transfer steamed leeks into ceramic baking dish, arranging them in single layer.
8. Pour velvety cheese sauce evenly over leeks, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Sprinkle remaining cheese and breadcrumbs across surface, creating appetizing golden topping.
10. Dot surface with small butter fragments to enhance browning.
11. Position under preheated grill at 200°C for 5-7 minutes until topping transforms into crispy, golden-brown crust with bubbling edges.

Notes

• Choose fresh, firm leeks with bright green tops for the best flavor and texture.
• Thoroughly wash leeks to remove all sand and dirt trapped between layers before cooking.
• For a lighter version, swap full-fat milk with skimmed milk or use vegetable stock instead of butter.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère or blue cheese for a unique twist on the classic recipe.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 234 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg