Simple ham wrapped leeks in cheese sauce recipe
This is a very easy to make recipe that I learned from my Mother some years ago now. It is quick to prepare and inexpensive on ingredients. The end result works equally well when eaten as a light main meal, a supper dish or a side dish, depending on the size of the portions. I hope you will enjoy both making and eating this for yourselves.
Equipment Required
A shallow baking dish
A large saucepan of boiling water
A second saucepan to make the sauce
A chopping knife
A whisk or wooden spoon
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Ingredients
6 fresh leeks
12 slices of lean cooked ham
2 tubs (approx 500g in total) of ricotta cheese (Cheddar cheese can be used instead but is far higher in fat)
A good handful of grated cheddar cheese
1 pint of fresh milk
Approx 3 tablespoons of plain flour
Approx 2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper
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Method
Trim the roots and tops from your uncooked leeks and discard the trimmings
Thoroughly wash the leeks making sure all the dirt between the visible leaves is completely rinsed away
Place the leeks in the saucepan of boiling water, season with salt and boil until soft (about 15 minutes)
Drain the water from the pan and leave the cooked leeks on a plate to cool slightly
Wrap each leek in a couple of slices of ham
Place the wrapped leeks seam side down into the baking dish
Melt the butter in a saucepan
Add the flour and stir for about a minute in using the whisk or the wooden spoon
Gradually add your milk stirring constantly to avoid lumps as the mixture thickens
Once the mixture boils remove from the heat and stir in the ricotta cheese until it has melted in completely
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste
Pour the sauce over the ham wrapped leeks
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top of the sauce
Bake in the oven at 190 degrees Celsius for half an hour or until browned and golden on top
Serve
Speed Tip: For an even quicker version of this recipe prepare the sauce first, then wrap the leeks in the ham whilst they are still quite hot and place in the dish. Pour the sauce over the leeks and then scatter the grated cheese over the top. Grill on a medium to hot grill until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve immediately
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One of the nicest ways to eat leeks that I know of!
