Rachel Roddy’s Recipe For Baked Leek And Egg Gratin | A Kitchen In Rome

While sorting retired immoderate books nan different day, arsenic good arsenic gathering a heap to springiness distant aliases sell, I spent a ample portion of 2 hours looking for books I cognize I erstwhile had, and trying to retrieve if I had loaned aliases mislaid them. And then, successful nan lawsuit of 1 peculiar book, ordering different copy. Ten out, 1 in: not terrible.

The book I (re)ordered was Beaneaters and Bread Soup, by Lori de Mori and nan photographer Jason Lowe. Gathered complete decades of surviving conscionable extracurricular Florence, nan book is simply a postulation of wonderful, applicable Tuscan recipes, and besides tells a communicative of Tuscan nutrient done portraits of photogenic section artisans: a chestnut grower, a bee keeper, a man who makes knives … I would mention much if I could find nan book, which I fishy was borrowed and ne'er returned – you cognize who you are! (Unless I person sewage this incorrect and it is down nan bookcase.)

One look I don’t request to hold for, though, is Lori’s sformato, which I person been making connected and disconnected for years. The connection sformato intends thing taken retired of a form, and it’s an umbrella word utilized to picture a awesome number of bakes. Lori’s consists of a furniture of well-seasoned spinach covered pinch a duvet of besciamella (bechamel) seasoned pinch parmesan, and it inspired this week’s recipe, which is different bully illustration of really truthful overmuch cooking is simply repetitive behaviour seasoned pinch caller thoughts.

The caller thoughts present are from a summertime repast astatine a edifice adjacent Arezzo, where, arsenic a vegetarian option, they baked leeks successful individual terracotta dishes, poured complete bechamel enriched pinch tons of cheese, past flashed nan dishes nether a grill. When I complimented nan proprietor connected nan bully idea, she mentioned that it useful pinch spinach, too, and that you could besides snuggle a fewer hard-boiled eggs into nan vegetables for a much complete meal.

One point to statement astir this crockery is that you want to trim nan leeks into agelong lengths, past put them successful a buttered crockery – nan effect is simply a spot for illustration a cluster of opinionated logs aliases character stumps. The leeks are past roasted unsocial to statesman with, until very tender, and past nan hard-boiled ovum are added. If nan bechamel is freshly made, nan full point will request only 5 aliases truthful minutes successful a basking oven, aliases nether a grill.

This is simply a crockery that demands a salad, I think, pinch a vinegary dressing.

Baked leek and ovum gratin

Serves 4 - 6

4 ample leeks
6 eggs
50g butter, positive other for greasing
Olive oil
50g plain flour
500ml full milk
Salt and achromatic pepper
Nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste
50g parmesan, aliases cheddar aliases gruyere

Trim nan roots of nan leeks, propulsion distant and discard immoderate damaged, reliable aliases bad boy leaves, past rinse nan leeks successful acold h2o arsenic champion you tin without splitting them. Cut nan leeks into 4cm-long logs and rinse again if immoderate person ungraded hidden successful nan exposed layers (again, make judge they don’t autumn apart). Hard boil nan eggs (I do this for 8 minutes), past drain and peel.

Arrange nan leeks for illustration opinionated logs successful a buttered, astir 25cm baking dish, packing them successful rather closely. Spoon complete 5 tablespoons of oliva lipid and six teaspoons of water, past screen nan crockery pinch foil and cook astatine 200C (180C)/390F/gas 6 for 30 minutes. Lift disconnected nan foil and cook for different 10 minutes, by which clip nan leeks should beryllium tender and conscionable a small golden. Pull nan crockery from nan oven and support warm.

Melt nan food successful a heavy-based pan, then, arsenic soon arsenic it starts to foam, whisk successful nan flour until it forms a paste and propulsion disconnected nan heat. Add a small of nan milk, whisk to a soft paste, past return nan cookware to nan power and adhd nan remaining beverage successful a dependable stream, whisking continuously, until it almost boils Season pinch salt, nutmeg and achromatic capsicum to taste, past little nan power and simmer, stirring and whisking often, for astir 10 minutes, until nan condiment is heavy capable to overgarment nan backmost of a spoon. Stir successful nan food until melted and incorporated.

Cut nan hard-boiled eggs successful half, past nestle them successful betwixt nan baked leeks. Pour nan bechamel complete nan top, past decorativeness successful a basking oven aliases nether nan grill until nan apical bubbles.