Earth Eats: Albanian Baked Leeks or Tave me presh
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Tave me presh is a simply delicious dish of baked leeks and minced lamb. This beef version is created for those who don't have access to lamb.
Author:
Recipe type: casserole, one pot, stew
Cuisine: Albanian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 3 medium leeks, cut into 2.5 cm or 1 inch pieces but if using thick leeks cut into smaller even sized pieces
  • 1 small brown onion, finely chopped
  • 500 gm or 1 lb. minced beef or lamb
  • 2 tbsp tomato sauce/puree
  • 3 small red peppers weighing a total of 300gm/10.5 oz, seeded and evenly chopped (you can also use red bell peppers)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 300 ml or 1.25 cups beef stock
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • half a tsp of fine salt, adjust to taste
  • large pinch of ground black pepper, adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp flour to thicken sauce
  • mash potatoes to serve (I make mine from scratch)
Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 190c or 374f, prepare a baking or casserole dish. Heat the oil and once warm fry the leeks until soft then put them in baking/casserole dish. In the same pan and oil, or add more oil if needed, cook onion until soft and translucent. Next add meat and cook until cooked through, drain all the liquid and fat, then add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Next add peppers, puree, salt, pepper, and broth and mix until well combined. Over medium low heat, bring to gentle boil then add flour to thicken up a bit. Taste and adjust salt and/or pepper if desired. Lastly, pour the pan ingredients over the leeks in casserole dish, place in the centre of the oven (uncovered) and bake for 1 hour. Nearly all of the liquid will have evaporated and the peppers will be very soft. Serve over mashed potatoes. (You might want to start the mashed potatoes one half hour into the cooking time of the casserole.)
Notes
MAKE IT VEGETARIAN: To make this dish vegetarian omit the minced beef and substitute it with mushrooms or eggplant or a variety of your favourite vegetables.



MAKE IT PRETTY: The dish is not an attractive one right out of the oven. Make it look pretty by serving it over the mashed potatoes and by using chopsticks to pull up some bits of leeks and peppers. Just use my photos as inspiration.:)
Recipe by Spicie Foodie ™ at https://www.spiciefoodie.com/2014/02/05/earth-eats-albanian-baked-leeks-or-tave-me-presh/