Baked Leeks With Bechamel and Jamon Serrano

May 11, 2023May 11, 20230 2

Baked Leeks With Bechamel and Jamon Serrano, a French classic with a Spanish twist

by The Chefin Side

Prep

20 min

Cook

40 min

Ready In

60 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

347

Sugar

Fat

28g

Baked Leeks With Bechamel and Jamon Serrano is a classic French dish that has been given a Spanish twist with the addition of jamon serrano. The dish is a decadent side dish that is perfect for a special occasion or dinner party. The leeks are first cooked in boiling salted water to soften them up before being covered in a rich bechamel sauce and finished with a layer of melted cheese. The ham slices add a salty and savory contrast to the creamy leeks, creating a perfectly balanced dish that is sure to impress.

Instructions

1.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2.	Cut leeks crosswise into 1 1/2-inch pieces, and rinse thoroughly.
3.	In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the leeks until they just begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
4.	Remove the leeks from the pot, and drain them well.
5.	In a saucepan, heat the milk.
6.	In another saucepan, heat the olive oil.
7.	Slowly whisk in the flour to form a roux, cooking for 1 minute.
8.	Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens.
9.	Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
10.	Butter a baking dish, and arrange the leeks in it.
11.	Pour the bechamel sauce over the leeks, and sprinkle the cheese over the top.
12.	Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
13.	While the leeks are baking, cut the ham into thin strips.
14.	Once the leeks are done, remove from oven and top with the sliced ham.

PROS

The bechamel sauce and cheese make these leeks rich and indulgent.

The jamon serrano adds a salty, savory contrast to the creamy leeks.

CONS

This dish is quite heavy and calorific, so it should be served in small portions as a side dish.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Leeks are a great source of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone health.
They are also high in antioxidants and fiber.
While this dish is not particularly healthy due to the bechamel sauce and cheese, the leeks do provide some nutritional benefits.

	3 1/4 lbs leeks , large
	1 pint milk
	3 tablespoons olive oil
	2 ounces flour
	salt , pepper and nutmeg
	2 ounces butter
	2 ounces cheese
	5 ounces prosciutto ham , thinly sliced ( jamon serrano or iberico ham )