Garlic Pesto, Charred Leeks & Cauliflower, Courgette Ribbons, Hazelnuts & Parmesan Polenta

• 1 leek - Cut in half and blanched then sliced lengthways
• 2 courgettes - Sliced into ribbons using a peeler
• 1/2 cauliflower - Cut onto bite sized florets
• 2 handfuls hazelnuts
• 1/2 lemon
• 2 cloves garlic or handful of wild garlic leaves
• 3 1/4 tablespoons Parmesan - Finely grated
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• salt Sprinkle of, flakes
• 1 bunch parsley around 2 tbsp once chopped
• 1 2/3 cups polenta
• 3 3/8 cups cold water
• 5/8 cup single cream
• 6 3/8 tablespoons Parmesan - Finely grated
• 2 tablespoons butter
• sea salt flakes Generous sprinkle of
• freshly ground black pepper Several turns of
• 1 handful fresh oregano - Finely chopped

1. Begin by blanching the leek. Cut it in half and place in a pan of boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes then remove and allow to dry out. There's no need to plunge the leek into iced water for this recipe.
2. Place your griddle pan over a high heat for 2-3 minutes or until it starts to smoke
3. Half the leek again lengthways and lightly coat both the leek and chopped cauliflower in a drizzle of oil, season with salt and black pepper before placing onto the smoking hot griddle
4. Allow to char for 2-3 minutes before turning and doing the same to the other side. You can add in the hazelnuts at this stage as well, lightly toasting them until golden
5. Prepare the garlic pesto, either by muddling all ingredients with a pestle and mortar and or by blitzing in a blender
6. Pull the charred leeks apart and place in a bowl with the courgette ribbons and cauliflower and lightly coat in pesto
7. For the polenta add your water to a large saucepan then once it's almost boiling reduce the heat and slowly pour in the polenta. If you do this very gradually you'll avoid any lumps forming.
8. NOTE - Ensure that you're stirring the whole time when pouring the polenta in, this again will ensure you don't get lumps
9. Cook for around 7-10 minutes until the grainy texture of the polenta has gone, you can check this by rubbing a little between your fingers
10. Add in the butter and cream (still stirring) along with the Parmesan. Have a taste at this stage and add in the seasoning according to taste. I find you need a fair bit of seasoning with polenta despite there being a tonne of cheese in here.
11. Finish by serving up the polenta onto a large platter. Add on the charred pesto vegetables, some extra generous dollops of the garlic pesto and sprinkle over the toasted hazelnuts and a little lemon zest plus an extra drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of salt flakes and black pepper and finally serve

then, cauliflower, hazelnuts, lemon, garlic, nuts, salt, parsley around, polenta, cold water, single cream, butter, salt, freshly ground black pepper, oregano

Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/GARLIC-PESTO_-CHARRED-LEEKS-_-CAULIFLOWER_-COURGETTE-RIBBONS_-HAZELNUTS-_-PARMESAN-POLENTA-1513079 (may not work)