Leeks wrapped in ham

Leeks wrapped in ham makes an excellent supper dish or, possibly, a starter.

Preparation Time: 15 Mins

Cooking Time: 45 Mins

Total Time: 1 Hr

Ingredients

For 2 servings…

2                    Leeks  - white parts only        

                     Salt          

2 slices            Ham         

30 cl               White sauce            

2 tbs               Parmesan cheese  - grated      

For the white sauce

30 cl               Milk         

1                    Bay leaf     

1 blade            Mace        

1                    Shallot  - chopped    

30 gms            Butter       

30 gms            Flour        

                     Pepper  - freshly ground, white 

                     Salt          

Method

Heat an oven to 180°C.

To cook the leeks…

Place the leeks is salted water and boil until just soft.  Drain.

To make the white sauce…

Place the milk, bay leaf, mace and shallot into a small saucepan and bring to the boil very gently.  Remove from the heat and allow to infuse for 20 minutes.  Strain the milk into a jug.

Melt the butter in a saucepan very slowly.  Take it off the heat as soon as the butter has melted and stir in the flour.  Stir to a smooth paste, then return the saucepan to a medium heat and add the milk a little at a time, making sure all the milk is incorporated before adding any more.  When all the milk has been incorporated, turn the heat very low and let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes.  Season to taste with the salt and pepper.

To make and cook the dish…

Wrap each leak in a slice of ham and, if necessary, secure with a cocktail stick.  Place them in a buttered gratin dish and coat with the white sauce.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake in the oven for 10 minutes until golden on top.

Serve.

Variations

Yellow mustard seeds can be added to the white sauce.

The Parmesan cheese can be replaced by Cheddar.

Wine recommendations

A rustic white wine - or possibly a red.

Conventional

     Pays d'Oc Chardonnay

Interesting

     Beaujolais

     Côtes de Gascogne blanc or rouge

     Gamay de Loire