25/08/2025
INGREDIENTS
10g (1ā4 oz) butter, plus extra to grease
500g (18oz) leeks (trimmed weight)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
250g (9oz) ricotta
100g (3 1ā2 oz) feta, grated
3 eggs, beaten
900gā1kg (2ā2 1ā4 lb) frozen spinach, or 300g (10 1ā2 oz) cooked and squeezed spinach
1ā4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
200g (7oz) roasted red peppers (drained weight)
salt and freshly ground black pepper ļæ½
For the crumble
25g (1oz) cold salted butter, diced
100g (3 1ā2 oz) ground almonds
50g (2oz) Parmesan, finely grated
INSTRUCTIONS
This is really an assembly of ingredients rather than complicated cooking, yet the result is a spectacular dish topped with an irresistible savoury crumble to impress vegetarian and meat-eating friends alike. To save time, buy frozen spinach and a jar of roasted red peppers.
Preheat the oven to 200 ĢC/fan 180 ĢC/
gas mark 6. Generously grease a 20cm (8in) springform cake tin with some butter.
Prepare the leeks first using as much of the green end as you can, unless they are very tough. Cut them finely into half-moons. Put the leeks into a large frying pan with the butter, oil, 1ā4 teaspoon of salt and some black pepper and fry gently until tender ā about 10 minutes.
Leave the leeks to cool and then mix with the ricotta, feta and two of the eggs. Season again to taste.
Squeeze the excess water from the spinach and whizz in a food-processor with the remaining egg, 1ā4 teaspoon of salt, some black pepper and the nutmeg. Make the crumble by rubbing the butter into the almonds and Parmesan in a mixing bowl.
Make the base of the cake by opening out the peppers and patting them dry with a kitchen paper. Lay them down to fit the base of the prepared tin, cutting them as necessary. They should come up the side by 1.5cm(5/8in) all around.
Next spoon half the leek mixture into the tin and press down lightly with the back of a spoon. Now do the same with the spinach mixture and then with the last of the leek mix. Sprinkle the crumble over the top in an even layer and place on a baking tray in case of any leaks.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown. Leave the crumble to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a serving dish. Serve warm or at room temperature.