In fact, I think they are an entirely underrated vegetable and oh so very versatile and tasty, which means I regularly include them in my cooking.
This upside-down leek tart with cottage cheese, caramelised leeks and sage may however be my new favourite leek dish!
Why? Well it not only looks stunning, but is also a super easy and quick to make veggie friendly picnic centre piece or impressive starter that really makes the leek the star of the show in the most delicious of ways.
A new favourite!
Makes 2 leek tarts
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey
24 sage leaves, optional
2 medium leeks
150g cottage cheese
500g store-bought puff pastry or homemade rough puff pastry
1 egg, optional
METHOD
- To make the tart: Place a piece of parchment onto a large baking sheet.
- Halve the leeks lengthwise and wash gently, keeping them intact.
- Arrange them snugly, cut side down, on parchment paper into two pairs, alternating green and white ends for balance.
- Each pair of leek halves will become a separate tart.
- Draw around each set of leeks with a pencil and put the leeks to one side.
- Within the stencil lines, drizzle olive oil and honey and then sprinkle generously with sea salt and black pepper.
- Place the sage leaves into the stencils.
- Lay the leek halves back on top and spread the cottage cheese over them evenly.
- Finally season generously with more oil, sweetener, salt and pepper.
- Next roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut the pastry into three rectangles and roll each out at least four centimeters longer and wider than each set of leeks, then carefully lay each onto a set of leeks.
- Optionally brush them with egg wash made from one egg beaten.
- Bake in a preheated oven (at 190C Fan) for 35 minutes or until the pastry has risen and is dark golden brown.
- Allow to rest for five minutes then lay a chopping board on top and flip upside down.
- Carefully remove the parchment and ENJOY!