Tender braised leeks are topped with a velvety roasted pepper and cream cheese sauce. A surprising and delicious side dish!
When cream cheese is mentioned, one of three things comes to mind - slathered bagels, cheesecake or frosting. Quite honestly, I rarely use cream cheese for anything else. Of course, that is a rather narrow-minded view, as many people use cream cheese in dishes such as mashed potatoes, pasta, and French toast. When Philadelphia Cream Cheese asked that I develop a recipe for a side dish using their product, I felt as though someone was shoving me off my precarious ledge of comfort.
While leeks are part of the same family as onions and garlic (the allium family), they have a much milder taste, particularly when braised. This makes them a willing backdrop to almost any accompanying flavors. Mediterranean ingredients are a particularly good accompaniment for the mellow vegetable. For this sauce, a roasted red bell pepper is blended with cream cheese and a splash of vegetable broth to make a velvety sauce. Quite honestly, I was worried that the cream cheese would make the sauce taste too...well...cream cheesy. Instead, it added a subtle tang and leant a creamy texture to this luxurious, but healthy sauce.
As for the leeks, the process of cooking them is painless. Once cleaned and cut (see my how-to post on preparing leeks), they are sauteed and braised in vegetable broth in under ten minutes and ready to be topped with the roasted red pepper sauce and briny capers. Cream cheese has found its niche in my kitchen, and it doesn't even involve bagels.
Braised leeks recipe:
The cream cheese sauce:
In a blender, combine roasted red bell pepper (see How to: Roast a Bell Pepper), cream cheese and vegetable broth. Puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and puree briefly. The sauce can be served room temperature or it can be heated in a small saucepan set over low heat.
Braising leeks:
Prepare leeks by cutting off the dark green leaves (discard or save for another use), cutting the leeks in half lengthwise, and thoroughly washing the dirt from between the layers. (For a step-by-step photo tutorial on this process, head to How to: Prepare a Leek.) Cut each leek piece in half again lengthwise.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until leeks begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
Add vegetable broth, cover and cook until leeks are very tender, about 5 minutes.
Place leeks on serving platter and top with roasted red pepper sauce and capers. Serve.
Braised Leeks with Red Pepper Cream Cheese Sauce & Capers
Sauce:
1 roasted red bell pepper
2 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese
3 teaspoon vegetable broth
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Leeks:
4 large leeks
1 clove garlic, chopped
¼ cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoon capers
Sauce:
In a blender, combine roasted red bell pepper, cream cheese and vegetable broth. Puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and puree briefly. The sauce can be served room temperature or it can be heated in a small saucepan set over low heat.
Leeks:
Prepare leeks by cutting off the dark green leaves (discard or save for another use), cutting the leeks in half lengthwise, and thoroughly washing the dirt from between the layers. (For a step-by-step photo tutorial on this process, head to How to: Prepare a Leek.) Cut each leek piece in half again lengthwise.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until leeks begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add vegetable broth, cover and cook until leeks are very tender, about 5 minutes.
Place leeks on serving platter and top with roasted red pepper sauce and capers. Serve.
Serves 4 as a side dish.
Drick
oh my goodness Dara, this is one heck of a recipe, or two... and thank you for both of them
the red pepper cream cheese sauce just sounds so perfect for so many things, you know I am thinking seafood... can't wait to try it out
Dmarie
your recipe looks fabulous! I just bought some of the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Sauce in a little tub (coupon for a free tub and coupon for $1 off a tub, so I got two), and it was too cream cheesy for what I did with it. Next time I will use half the tub and liven it up in a similar manner to what you've done here. well done!
Mary at n00bcakes
Mmm, wow that looks delicious! I'm not sure I've ever had leeks before, but this recipe definitely makes me willing to try them out. Great to see another easy-but-delicious recipe!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Mary, go buy some leeks. I promise you won't be sorry.
Maria
I love that red pepper sauce!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Maria. We're determined to use it on as many things as we can dream up.
Lori @ RecipeGirl
Looks yummy. It's nice to see a cream cheese recipe that isn't a dessert 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Lori. This challenge definitely had me thinking outside of the box.
Brooks at Cakewalker
Dara, what a fabulous looking dish! I love the sauce component and the simplicity of the braised leeks. You are right, this side dish is impressive AND user-friendly. Thank you for sharing it.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Brooks. It really is an easy dish, but everyone always thinks it looks so fancy.
Mike
That photo is wonderful! My knife and fork didn't work real well on my screen.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Ha! Time to cook the real thing, huh?
Jenny Flake
Looks great Dara! I am doing this promotion too, I thought it was for next week, I better go email Yvonne, lol!! Love your post!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I'm looking forward to seeing your recipes!
Elin
CC , this is a wonderful dish...leek with cream cheese....gosh must be delicious. I must try this out 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe. Have a nice day CC,
Elin
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Elin.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
I just love the taste of braised leeks, it's such a classic dish. I usually serve mine with a vinaigrette, but this creamy red pepper sauce sounds like a wonderful accompaniment as well.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Leeks topped with a vinaigrette is a wonderful combination - one of my favorite ways to enjoy them.
Maris (In Good Taste)
Your creativity astounds me! This is an awesome recipe.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Maris. You're a sweetheart.
Monet
Oh I love leeks...they always remind me of Spring. And I loved learning about this new way to prepare a creamy sauce. I have a packet of cream cheese in my fridge. Perfect. Thank you for sharing with me tonight, my sweet friend. I hope that you have a wonderful week full of laughter, love and good food. As always, I'm leaving tonight feeling inspired by your creativity and kindness.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Monet. I am thinking of you!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food
when I saw the name of this recipe I knew I had to check it out because three of my favorite things are: capers, red peppers, and creeeeam sauce.
looks awesome and I love any dish that makes people eat more veggies! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
You and I have the same kind of palate, Jenny!
Lauren from Lauren's Latest
I love roasted red peppers! That sauce sounds like it would be good on anything!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Lauren, I have actually already used it on pasta and in a sandwich. It's really versatile.
claudia lamascolo
this is simply gorgeous and the pictures are fabulous~
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Claudia.
Gourmantine
I think leeks are such an understated vegetable, especially when they are so easy to prepare. Your sauce turned out beautifully and I'm very interested in trying leek-bell pepper-cream cheese combination 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree! Thanks for your comment.
Katrina
I've never had leeks on their own before. I always seem to make them with something, like soup, or whatnot. This sounds lovely! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Their mellow flavor makes them very tasty when made the star of the dish.
Sanjeeta kk
What lovely color and refreshing recipe, D!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Sanjeeta.
Eugene @ Food and Scent
Those leeks are perfectly done! I'm gonna try this for the family this weekend. Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Eugene. I hope the family enjoys it.
Heather at Heathers Dish
I've never herd if braising leeks before but it sounds incredible! What a delicious dish 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Heather. Leeks lend themselves very well to braising. This dish is finished in a flash!