Chefex (Chef Express): Leek, Pancetta & Cheese Gratin, or when the Chef needs a holiday !!

A new entry for my Chefex ! and with a reason....I have been cooking too much lately..It all started with Project Foodblog, where for several weeks I put all my energy, not only for cooking, but for thinking, creating, taking photos and writing recipes! then the Holiday season...cooking for my family...and then...So I said to myself: "I need a week at least of easy meals, nothing complicated, good but fast..so this gratin!!

Just the leeks, that we are going to "blanchir" (place in boiling water for 5', remove and place in icy water! this makes the leek tender keeping the color), some light cream (taken to a boil) that we have infused with pancetta (or bacon)...and then you accomodate the leeks, cut according to the height of your gratin dish or cassolettes. Pour in the cream with the sliced pancetta. Sprinkle with your favorite cheese (here I used some left-overs of "raclette" cheese..some piment d'Espelette...and to the oven, till the cheese melts!

How long did I take to explain this? Three minutes? Ten minutes will largely suffice for you to make it! Simple, savoury, fast...good for a lazy winter week-end...what else? 

Enjoy!