Leek crumble and Hugo’s story
I’m not a naughty dog. I do have my limits though and when Bossy and Noisy recently loaded their bags into the car and made it clear that I wasn’t going to accompany them, I reached mine. I dragged my rug out to the car and made myself a little nest amongst the suitcases, but they ended up leaving without me all the same. The trouble is this: no Bossy, no proper meals! (He gets invited to eat with the neighbour). Worse still, no camembert at lunchtime (I have my own special supply). So I ran away. Actually I ran further than I meant to and ended up getting lost. Apparently I was about 6 kms away. A very nice lady found me and made me a big bowl of pasta — I must have looked very thin, sad and hungry, which was almost certainly due to ACD (acute cheese deprivation). 🙁 The kind lady also took lots and lots of photos of me and kept stroking me and saying how handsome I was. It took her quite a long time to track down Bossy’s husband, because I’d also lost my collar with my ‘phone number on it. Anyway, Bossy and Noisy reappeared quite soon after I had arrived back home and, going by the look on Bossy’s face, she’ll think twice before heartlessly abandoning me in a camembert-free environment again *manipulative snigger*.
This savoury crumble is an adaptation of a Marcus Wareing recipe. It’s a meal in itself really, although it could also be served as an accompaniment.
Ingredients (serves 4)
2 red onions, quartered
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
4 leeks, washed and sliced into 2 cm rounds
4 mushrooms, peeled and sliced
50g butter
50g spelt flour
200 ml chicken or vegetable stock
200ml milk
50g roquefort cheese, crumbled (any blue cheese will work)
1 tablespoon French mustard
Sea salt, freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the crumble topping:
100g spelt flour
75g chickpea flour
25g butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
100g comté cheese, grated (or another hard cheese)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Gently fry the onions, garlic, leeks and mushrooms until lightly cooked (about 5 minutes). Place in an ovenproof dish and set aside. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan and then add the flour, combining well to form a paste. Gradually add the stock and then the milk, whisking well all then time to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook until,the sauce is quite thick and then add the mustard, seasoning and cheese. Mix well until the cheese has melted and pour over the vegetables.
To make the crumble topping, mix the flour and seasoning together and rub in the butter and then stir in the olive oil. Add the grated cheese, mixing well and spread over the leeks and sauce. Bake for about 25 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
10 Comments
apuginthekitchen
Oh my, what a story. Hugo really had quite the adventure. There is no place like home, right Hugo! Don’t do that again. The leek crumble is fantastic comfort food. I love savory crumbles especially really cheesy ones.
The Healthy Epicurean
Yes that was quite an adventure he had – one I could have done without really. He’s a very naughty boy, despite what he would have everyone believe!
tinywhitecottage
Oh my! So glad Hugo is home. What a scare!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you! Isn’t he a little monster though? 😉
Judit Bakes
Hi, I love your work, so I just nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award! The Rules are:
Display the award on your blog
Mention/link the person who nominated you
Nominate another 10 (or so) bloggers you feel should be given this award
Inform these individuals that you have nominated them
Write 7 facts about yourself
http://juditbakes.com/2013/11/15/2131/
Love, Judit
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you so much Judit – I’m honoured! I have precious little time though at the moment (scarcely enough time to post sometimes) so I’ll have to pass this time. Thank you again though 🙂
annelifaiers
Just went to post a comment but it didn’t work and somehow I lost it. The long and short of it was – naughty Hugo…yummy leek crumble that I am going to make this weekend. xxx
The Healthy Epicurean
Let me know what you think if you make it Anneli… And yes, naughty Hugo is exactly right!
laurasmess
Hugo, so glad that you’re home safely!! Sounds like you gave your family a bit of a fright… you’re lucky that the lovely lady saw fit to cure your cheese deprivation (ACD, I’m using that expression!!) in the meantime! By the way, this leek crumble looks divine. I must make it soon! xx
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you Laura. I was lucky that the lady was so kind – I don’t just visit anyone you know 😉 I’m really making up for my ACD now – it was very traumatic for everyone!
Hugo xx