creamy mushroom and leek lasagne

vegetarian lasagnes can be shameful affairs – a final resting home for non-descript vegetables, no clear flavours and the provoker of a slightly mournful sigh if ever they are the only vegetarian option on a menu.

having said that, they can also be fabulous and are well worth making yourself (see here and here for a couple more vegetarian lasagne options). one of the secrets, i think, is to think about the vegetables you want to use and how you are going to ensure that their individual flavours shine through. making sure that everything works together is also important.

this leek and mushroom lasagne was truly fabulous. it is based on nigel slater’s recipe for mushroom lasagne with pesto but with addition of a layer if slow-cooked creamy leeks in the middle. you do need to be a bit of a mushroom fan though as their flavour is at the fore.

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green tart

for many people weekends seem to be a time to think about what exciting, exotic and time-consuming dishes they can create in the extra hours that they have. i do this too, especially if we have friends coming over as i always see guests as an opportunity to try new things.

however, things have been a little different recently – my weekend cooking currently seems to focus around the various vegetables which i have sitting in my kitchen and which need to be used up before they are past their best and beyond redemption.

later in the week i’ll fill you in on how i managed to use up the final half of a savoy cabbage which was only a few days away from the bin (exciting stuff eh?), but first a green tart which created a magnificent home for wilting spinach, yellowing leeks and softening courgettes. sorry if that sounds horrid, my intention is to reassure you that this recipe is fine for vegetables which are a little past their best!

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chicken, mushroom and leek spaghetti bake

i used the leftover chicken from our roast to make a version of nigel slater’s chicken and pasta pie. it’s not really a pie though, it’s more like a pasta bake. it is exciting though, as it uses spaghetti rather than pasta shapes or lasagne sheets.

and, because it is exciting as well as delicious, i am sharing this recipe with the lovely ruth from once upon a feast who founded presto pasta nights (which is now two years old!) and is this week’s host. happy birthday ruth and ppn!

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velvety leek and potato soup

happy new year! i’ve got great hopes for 2009, not least as the last three weeks of 2008 were filled with coughs, colds, sniffles and sneezes. 2009 has to be better although i’m still spluttering about at the moment.

as a result my plans to cook some of the interesting dishes which had caught my eye during the year came to naught and david and i spent much of the break eating food which one of us could quickly pull together and which didn’t require a trip to the shops.

nigel slater was the provider of several lovely meals which fitted this description, including the ever-wonderful chickpeas with pumpkin, lemongrass and coriander and this parmesan-infused leek and potato soup from his kitchen diaries.

the soup has a wonderful velvety texture which comes from slow cooking the leeks and adding parmesan rinds along with the stock. it is so much richer (despite the lack of cream) and more delicate than the usual leek and potato soup which people make and is definitely worth trying, even if you’re not ill.

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smoked haddock, leek and crème fraiche tart

this smoked haddock and leek tart was one of the most popular dishes at our recent housewarming party and several people have requested the recipe - so here it is!

i only had a tiny taste of this tart but really loved the gentle flavours of the sweet slow-cooked leek, smoky fish and richness of the creamy egg custard that held everything together - it's a nice alternative to chowder if you don't fancy soup but do want something similar in taste.

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