Ingredient Inspiration: Leeks!
Hi Everyone!
With harvest time amongst us, there’s no shortage of hearty autumn vegetables in the market! We’re so excited that leeks are back in season, but as much as we love this leafy green, preparing it can be a hassle!
We love leeks so much that we’re willing to put in the work to prepare them for our favorite soups and pastas, and we’ll show you how to do it, too!
Photos courtesy of ifood.tv,Local Foods,Life of Cyn,Keeper of the Home
- Start by cutting off the root ends, and then slice the leek lengthwise.
- Turn leek over and cut it lengthwise a second time.
- Once leek is sliced, rinse under cool running water.
- After leek is cleaned thoroughly, chop into desired pieces.
How easy was that? Now that you’ve mastered cleaning the veggie, try it with CHRISTINA W’S creamy CRAB AND LEEK ALFREDO!
Christina’s recipe is pretty fantastic, and now we want to hear from you!
Leeks + PHILADELPHIA = You Decide!
Can you think of a delicious recipe or way to use leeks? Tell us what you come up with in the Comments below, and feel free to search for “leeks” in the RECIPE GALLERY HERE to help you get some ideas!
Category
RWoP
30 comments
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So in your instructions and the 4 steps above about using leeks in recipes, and though you don't state it clearly, we need to be able to understand that washing the leeks comes into play and adds time to your prep time as well as the actually active time of prepping the leeks (cutting, chopping, slicing). So is that just added a couple minutes to 5 minutes to my recipe because leeks are known to be hard to wash as dirt gets in between all the circles of the leeks.
Active Time / Step #1: Start by cutting off the root ends, and then slice the leek lengthwise.
Active Time / Step #2: Turn leek over and cut it lengthwise a second time.
Passive Time / Step #1: 3 Once leek is sliced, rinse under cool running water. Note this step is the most important and critical to the success of your leek recipe or you end up with gritty food that you would not want to serve anyone! This one step will take time that you should passively go watch TV and let the leeks wash them selves!!!!
Active Time Step # 3 After leek is cleaned thoroughly, chop into desired pieces.
You need to understand that just because a recipe does not clearly state the entire prep/cook time there is more to it than meets the eyes. READ THE RECIPE THROUGH Completely! Then you will understand how long it really takes to make it...active or passive inclusive. That is how any cook ( home or professional level ) should read a recipe... do not assume the recipe is written correctly or clearly or that some one made and tested it before it was published! -
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My husband would like the above recipe, but, I can't eat seafood mixed in a sauce. I would cook it for him. He would love it.
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I tried telling him that gravy would go good with pasties, it didn't work :)-Ha! I think that gravy would. But I wasn't born and raised in the UP either. Two years in the spring we did pick fresh leeks but we did not find morels in years. -
That's a super idea Juliana! Mushrooms! I love mushrooms and would certainly kill myself picking and cooking the wrong ones. ha! should have experimented when I was married lol j/k o.O ... I have a saying in my house and tell your husband ... there is ALWAYS room for Gravy ;) -
Kathy and Pam-no Gravy-my husband is from the upper peninsula of Michigan, where the pastie originated from because of all the woods. Leeks grow in the spring when you can find morel mushrooms-there is a topic to cover-mushrooms-ha! My husband says no gravy just ketchup. Leeks are like celery in some ways but a bit different.
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Thanks for the info Kathy Leeds <3 ... I love the sound of pasties now! I never was a cooked cabbage fan though. Mom put butter and syrup on everything to try to get you accustomed, but it never worked with me on cabbage. That was a very long time ago and I really should give it another chance... at someone else's house! I do like slaw!
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I make a fabulous potato leek soup - and I love to add leeks to most of my fall soups. I also make a Rissoto with Leeks, green, red and yellow onions that is to die for good! -
I just tried leeks recently and fell in love with them. Gotta find some recipes to incorporate into our diet. -
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I like to sautee leeks with pancetta, and then cook with risotto. They add so much flavor, and the risotto soaks up all the pancetta renderings. A great fall meal! -
Pam, leeks are similar to celery but taste a bit more like cabbage. And yes you can cook them the same way you use celery, or use in salads.
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haha! I'm askin! Why not Terri P :p :) I have never personally met a Leek. What do they taste like ? Are they the texture of celery and pretty much cook the same way ? Com'n somebody ... Leak it ! lol... I crack myself up. ... I really do want to know though.
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I have always wanted to try leeks and this recipes sound so good, so now would be a good time to do it...
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Love, love, love LEEKS! I use them in potao and leek soup where they share the stage with the potato! Awesome! I also replace onions with leeks a lot of my recipes or use them together for a more intense flavor. I use them cooked or raw in salads or dips. Just have to make sure you clean them very well because the sand (in which they are grown) gets between every single layer. I cut mine to the desired length and then place in a bowl of water. Move them around a bit and allow the sand to fall to the bottom of the bowl. And your ready to create! -
I have never cooked with leeks before but my mother used to make a stew that she used leeks in. I'm going to try to make it and also Christina's recipe. It looks yummy.
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