She Strengthens

Elegant Easter Brunch Showstopper: Silky Potato and Leek Pudding

This luscious, creamy pudding is a masterful blend of flavors and textures, situated comfortably between a crustless quiche and a Spanish tortilla. Its silky smoothness is elevated by the sweetness of sautéed leeks and the freshness of herbs.

Game Plan: Thinly Sliced Potatoes are Key

To ensure that your potatoes cook fully, slice them as thinly as possible. If you prefer thicker slices, try partially boiling them beforehand.

Yield and Difficulty

This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings and is classified as easy, with a total preparation and cooking time of 1 hour.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 3 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium red potatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced paper thin (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for coating the baking dish
• 2 medium leeks, halved lengthwise, rinsed, and thinly sliced crosswise (white and pale green parts only)
• 1 medium garlic clove, peeled and minced

Preparing the Pudding

Preheat your oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 2-quart baking dish with butter and set it aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, half of the half-and-half, the eggs, and the egg yolk until smooth. Add the cream and remaining half-and-half, season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. Set the mixture aside.

Sautéing the Leeks

Heat the measured butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once it foams, add the leeks and garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until the leeks are soft, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Assembling the Pudding

Combine the cooked leeks with the potato mixture, seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Evenly spread the potato mixture in the prepared baking dish and pour the egg mixture over top.

Baking and Serving

Bake the pudding until it’s puffy, golden, and set, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. This silky pudding can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold.

Beverage Pairing

Chappellet Napa Valley Chenin Blanc, California, is an excellent pairing for this dish. The gentle herbal flavors and springy sweetness of the wine harmonize beautifully with the tarragon, leeks, and lemon zest.