Leek Croustade

Name: Leek Croustade
Ingredients: CROUSTADE; 100 g breadcrumbs; 100 g ground almonds; 50 g walnut pieces; 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing the pie dish); 50 ml water; FILLING; 2 large leeks; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 25 g butter; 2 tablespoons cornflour; 300 ml milk; 75 g cheddar cheese, grated; seasoning, and (a pinch of dried dill works well) or herbs (a pinch of dried dill works well)

14 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

CROUSTADE
100 g breadcrumbs
100 g ground almonds
50 g walnut pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing the pie dish)
50 ml water
FILLING
2 large leeks
1 tablespoon olive oil
25 g butter
2 tablespoons cornflour
300 ml milk
75 g cheddar cheese, grated
seasoning, and (a pinch of dried dill works well) or herbs (a pinch of dried dill works well)

Directions

1

Preheat the oven to 350F, 180C; lightly grease an 8 inch pie or flan dish.
2

Place the bread crumbs, ground almonds and walnut pieces in a food processor and 'pulse' together until the walnuts are chopped small and an even crumb mixture is achieved; with the processor running slowly, pour the olive oil then the water down the feeding tube; process until the ingredients are well mixed and start to ball together as a 'dough'.
3

Spoon the mix into the pie dish and using the back of a spoon, press the mix evenly over the base and up the sides; bake for about 10 minutes, until the crust starts to brown.
4

Meanwhile, clean and slice the leeks (I like them cut in half lengthways then sliced 1/4 inch thick); in a large pan, cook the leeks gently in the oil, until they are just tender; spread the leeks evenly over the baked base.
5

Next make a white sauce: melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and mix well together (a balloon whisk is great for this); slowly add the milk and keep stirring until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble; season the sauce.
6

Pour the white sauce over the leeks then sprinkle the cheese over the top; return the pie to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.