In Praise of

… Leeks

This month we showcase leeks. A member of the onion family, the leek is a versatile spring vegetable that, chopped and combined with carrot, celery and onion, makes a great base for soups or stews. Its mild, sweet flavour also partners well with butter and cream in sauces, soufflés and gratins. It can be made into a smooth, creamy leek soup that's full of flavour, mixed with cheese and bacon in a tart or made into a light pasta dish with smoked salmon and pepper. Here are three recipes to celebrate leeks in all their glory. Enjoy.

Leek, courgette and potato soup

Prep time 15 min, cooking time 30 min, serves 6

Ingredients

1 tbsp oil 1 large courgette grated 2 leeks finely sliced 30g fresh parsley chopped 2 large potatoes peeled and chopped Good pinch of salt and pepper 1.5 litres Vegetable or chicken stock 50ml double cream

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan and add the courgette, potatoes and leeks. Cook for 3-4 minutes until starting to soften. Add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Season well and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Add the chopped parsley and whizz with a hand blender or in a blender until smooth. Reheat in a clean pan, stir in the cream, heat through and serve.

Leek, Bacon and Mozzarella Tart

Prep time 15 min, cook time 25 min, serves 6

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil 2 leeks, thinly sliced

4 rashers back bacon, snipped 375g pack ready-rolled puff pastry 150g mozzarella cut into cubes 1 egg & 75 ml double cream mixed together with ½ tsp mixed Italian herbs and salt and pepper 100g grated parmesan

Method

Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a frying pan, then gently fry the leeks until soft, about 5 min, leave to cool then fry the bacon until cooked. Unroll the pastry onto a baking sheet. Mix together the egg, cream and herbs and season with salt and pepper over the pastry to within 3cm of the edges. Scatter over the leeks, bacon and grated parmesan. Flip the edges of the pastry over the filling. Bake for 25 mins until golden.

Leek, Smoked Salmon, Red Pepper Linguine

Prep 10 mins, cook 20 mins, serves 4

Ingredients

15g butter 4 tbsp olive oil 2 small leeks sliced into 0.5cm rounds 225g linguine 2 red peppers sliced ½ tsp dried chili flakes 60ml white wine 150g smoked salmon coarsely chopped Zest of one lemon 50g chopped flat leaf parsley

Method

Melt 15g butter and 4 tablespoons of olive oil together in a medium sized saucepan over a gentle heat. Add 2 small sliced leeks and fry for around 5 minutes until softened. While the leeks are frying, cook dried pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Add 2 sliced peppers to the saucepan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes and 60ml white wine and allow the sauce

to bubble for another 2-3 minutes. Add 150g smoked salmon to the saucepan and stir gently. Add the zest of 1 lemon and most of the 2 tablespoons of parsley, reserving a bit for garnish at the end. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add it to the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta then taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Turn off the heat and transfer to deep bowls. Garnish with the remaining parsley and top each bowl with a lemon wedge.

Jane O’Hagan

Meldreth Matters is produced and delivered entirely by volunteers

We rely solely on advertising revenue to pay for our printing costs

To advertise in this space, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176

Our rates are shown on page 56 of this issue

Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Licensed bar Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates) Fully equipped gymnasium (annual subscrip on) Snooker room, Pool table Large children's outdoor ac vity area Petanque pistes Football pitches, changing rooms

Entertainments

1st Friday of the month Melbourn Rock Club One Saturday a month Melbourn Rock Club Rock and Roll Night Every Thursday night Eternit bingo—starts 7.30pm

Local gig venue Big charity events during the year

Motorcycle Rally - Air Ambulance - Mini Chill weekend - Camping - Local Chari es Club Charity - LUPUS