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A platter filled with Leek Confit with Lentils. A piece of crusty bread topped with the leeks and lentils is to the side.

Confit Leeks with Puy Lentils and Leek Cream

Cooking the leeks in this way gently softens them without coloring, and releases their allium flavor into the oil. Blending the confit leeks with cream creates a lovely sauce to bring the whole dish together, which could easily stand as a substitute for gravy alongside your choice of protein. If you can’t find puy lentils, then swap them out for other lentils, such as green or beluga. Serve this dish warm or at room temperature, and eat alongside some roasted potatoes, if you like.
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine North American
Keyword Confit Leeks, Leek Cream, Puy Lentils
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 49 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 lb 2 oz/ 1 kg leeks, trimmed; cut into 3/4-inch/2cm-thick rounds (white and light green parts only)=(1 lb 6 oz/ 620g)
  • 10 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/3 oz /10g thyme sprigs
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp/200ml olive oil
  • 3/4 cup /150g dried puy lentils rinsed
  • 1/4 cup /60ml lemon juice from 2–3 lemons
  • 1/4 cup /5g parsley leaves roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup /5g dill leaves roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup /5g tarragon leaves roughly chopped
  • salt and black pepper

Leek Cream

  • 3 1/2 oz /100g cooked confit leeks and 5 confit garlic cloves see above
  • 7 tbsp /100ml heavy cream
  • ¾ tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Soak the cut leek rounds in a large bowl of water to get rid of any excess grit. Drain, then pat dry, being sure to keep the rounds intact.
  3. Put the leeks, garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a good grind of pepper into a baking dish roughly 12 x 8 inches/30cm x 20cm in size. Mix gently to combine, then pour in the oil. Arrange the leeks so they are cut side up, then cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently turn the leeks over. Cover again with foil and return to the oven for 35 minutes more, until completely softened. Remove from the oven and turn the temperature up to 400°F.
  4. Meanwhile, cook the lentils in plenty of boiling water for 12–15 minutes, or until tender but not at all mushy. Drain well and set aside.
  5. When ready, remove the confit leeks from the oven and transfer 31/2 oz/100g of the cooked leeks plus five garlic cloves to a bowl. Add the lentils to the remaining leeks in the baking dish along with ¼ teaspoon of salt and a good grind of pepper, and mix gently to combine. Cover again with the foil and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and let settle for 10 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs.

Leek Cream

  1. While the lentils are in the oven, make the leek cream. Add the measured-out leeks and garlic to a food processor along with the cream, mustard, lemon juice, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt, and blitz until smooth.
  2. When ready, stir the 1/4 cup/60ml of lemon juice and the chopped herbs into the lentil and leek mixture. Transfer to a rimmed platter and serve with the leek cream in a bowl alongside.

  3. Serve on the side of your choice of protein, or even over rice or with crusty bread for a light meal.

Recipe Notes

Leek cream
Store any extra in the fridge for up to 2 days. Gently warm it in a pan with a splash of water.
Serve the leek cream alongside your typical Sunday roast or anything grilled.

You can also store any uneaten leeks and lentils in a sealed container overnight.  Heat in a skillet on low till warmed through.