Learn all about: what do leeks taste like, what are leeks, how to clean leeks, and recipes that use leeks! There are lots of ways to use leeks, in the same way there are lots of ways to use onions. They grow from small bulbs with a long, green stalk, both of which are edible and provide flavor, crunchy texture and bright color to soups, salads and more. If you’re going to serve the leeks raw (as in a salad), simply slice the stalks thinly. Enjoy leeks cooked or raw. In Turkish cuisine , leeks are chopped into thick slices, then boiled and separated into leaves, and finally filled with a filling usually containing rice, herbs (generally parsley and dill), onion, and black pepper. Leeks are definitely more intense when uncooked, as are all members of the onion family. Since the leaves are coarse in texture, many people stick to eating the softer pale part of the stalk. Toss chopped leeks into salads or use to garnish a hearty main dish. Leeks are such an underappreciated, but useful vegetable. 3) Dehydrate the Leeks Drying Leeks in a Dehydrator: Load up your food dehydrator with the trays full of leeks, and turn that puppy on! Use leeks to add flavor to soups. If you want to make the flavor milder, soak in iced water for about ten minutes then drain before tossing into a salad. Wife likes it and so do the kids. However, they can work in the same way as garlic and onions, and they are certainly taste-enhancers when used in a dish. This invites rot. These tender alliums are a classic risotto ingredient. With leeks, the general trend is to use the white part and throw away the green. Swap a leek for the onions in a soup or casserole recipe, and enjoy the more delicate flavor that results. Cooked leeks are highly perishable and do not have an extended shelf life. Use leeks instead of onions on a Flammkuchen; Switch out the onion in a tart; Leek Zucchini soup by fabfood4all.co.uk; How to store leeks? Angharad — November 7, 2017 @ 12:43 pm Reply. Leek has a long cylinder of green leaves bundled in a sheath with a dense white base at the bottom. It is possible to use the whole of the leek: the white stem, the light green parts, and even the darker green leaves. Alternatively, slice the leeks, then put in a colander and wash well under running water. Use leeks as substitutes for the onions in casseroles and a pot of soup. Do not wash or trim the dark leaves off the leeks before putting them in a refrigerator. Leeks have a slightly crunchy texture and a taste that isn’t entirely unlike an onion, but they are milder and sweeter in flavor. To ensure your leeks are grit free, follow these steps. If you think you’re just going to rinse them, forget about it. Try a leek and Roquefort quiche. Toss 5 leeks and 4 oz. From savory quesadillas to terrific pizza, here are seven ways to use leeks. Leeks have lots of layers and are notorious for collecting dirt in sand between those layers. Here is a video that will show you a step-by-step process on how to freeze leeks: Via: Youtube.com. This combination results in a flavorful dish with delectable consistency. [For less fat and calories, use egg whites only and less cheese.] A side to use when you have lots of carrots and leeks to use up from the garden. It will take three or four days, depending on weather conditions. By mcgerm. Leeks generally have quite a bit of sand and dirt between the layers. Trim off the dark green leaves to shorten your leek and you can store it already in its whole form in your vegetable basket in the fridge. Leeks sautéed in olive oil or butter on the other hand are exquisite. Rinse well under running water as leeks often have mud hidden between their leaves. But they can work well as an onion substitute when cooked. Add the leeks to omelets, quiche, as well as frittatas as they can mix with eggs and Swiss cheese. With eggs. There uses in food also differs. If you don’t have access to an electric dehydrator or an oven, or you just want to explore an ancient method of drying, this is the way to go. You’ll find them in the Lemon Risotto on page 201 of Love & Lemons Every Day. Smaller leeks tend to last longer than larger leeks. While a sprinkle of minced leeks can provide a nice garnish to a soup, caramelizing and adding them into the stock can bring out a hearty and satisfying flavor. In risotto. How to clean and cut leeks. 2. How To Use Leeks. These are not only the least expensive but also do come with a strong onion flavor. How leeks should be cut depends on how they are intended to be served. Here's how to sauté leeks: 1. You can then use the leeks for about 10 days. Toss 5 leeks and 4 oz. Then, if you want to keep the leek whole, use a knife to make a slit from the top to the point where the green meets the white, cutting through the centre. Raw leeks can be used in salads, doing especially well when they are the prime ingredient. Even when placed in the refrigerator, cooked leeks can only remain fresh up to one or two days. This combination results in a flavorful dish with delectable consistency. A New Quiche. The temperature you use is up to you. How to Use Leeks. 1. One particular favorite non-recipe in my household is a dish that I’ve come to refer to as “That Thing With the Leeks.” It all started with, naturally, a bunch of large leeks, one of my favorite vegetables to buy and then forget about until I find them liquefied in the bottom of my produce drawer. Use leeks to make the French soup vichyssoise, a potato and leek soup that’s traditionally served cold. Alternatively, showcase them in the Spring Leek & Lemon Pasta on page 185 of The Love & Lemons Cookbook. Simply saute the leaves for a while for a more tender bite. Trim the ends of leeks, discarding any thick, dark green leaves. They are best very thinly sliced when uncooked. To clean the leeks, place them into a bowl of water. Split Pea Soup with Rosemary Rating: Unrated 243 The rosemary adds a distinctive flavor to this wonderful soup. Freezing turns them to mush and gives them a bitter flavor. Use your hands to shake loose any visible dirt. 3) Sweet Onions – They are highly prevalent as an alternative of leeks in soups, stews, and other recipes.You only need to chop and use them. Scoop the leeks out of the bowl with your hands, allowing any dirt and sediment to stay on the bottom of the bowl. Or simply seasoned with oil and spices for a side dish. Quesadillas These fast, vegetarian quesadillas feature leeks, carrots, cheddar cheese, Sriracha and honey. Use leeks to deepen the flavor in my One-Pot Pasta or Vegetarian Lasagna. Sun-drying leeks. Try a leek and Roquefort quiche. We usually dry our leeks on about 120°F, or halfway between the “herbs” and “vegetables” settings. Conclusion. Leeks are tasty but you need to learn how to clean them properly because they can be rather dirty since they grow in sandy soil. Leeks are a delicious vegetable, but they're grown in sandy soil, so they need a good cleaning before you use them in recipes. I grew up in a country where leeks were a staple e.g. Leeks can be eaten raw, though this is a more unusual presentation. Use chopped up leeks to enhance the flavors of soups and dried dishes. Sautéed leeks make a great base for egg dishes and braises but they are especially delicious in soups. Part of the mystery is that most people don’t know how to clean leeks or how to use them once they make it that far. Leek greens can be used on their own in a dish (I’m thinking sautéed with bacon, yum!) Potato and leek soup was everywhere. Leeks, while similar in concept to scallions, aren’t as well-suited to being eaten raw, thanks to their more fibrous texture. For cooking, how the leeks should be cut depends on the recipe. A simple, clear cut tutorial on how to work with leeks.If you guys like the videos please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and/or SHARE them with your friends! Garnish! The dirt will settle to the bottom. of Roquefort into your basic quiche recipe and enjoy! I’ve used leeks during the entire time I’ve been cooking, and have never been able to get them completely clean before slicing. You only have to remove a few centimeters of the usually woody upper part from the leaves. However, the leaves too can be added to soups, stews, and salads. Boiled leaves can be used for sauces, soups or casseroles. The whitest bulb at the base is most commonly used in dishes. The sort answer is use leeks in anything you would use onions, so everything! Leeks aren't good candidates for freezing or canning unless you plan on using them as an ingredient in soups or other recipes rather than as the star of a dish. This green part contains a lot of vitamin C and it can be used in many recipes. Both the white and green parts of scallions are edible, though recipes that use both tend to briefly cook the white and light green parts and use the darker greens as garnish. Leeks taste like onion and garlic with a distinctly milder flavor and rich texture than them. Rinse well under running water, pulling back the layers so that any dirt at the base is removed. Sun-drying has been used for thousands and thousands of years and is the oldest method. or in bone broth. Add to mixed vegetables before oven roasting. of Roquefort into your basic quiche recipe and enjoy! If, however, you do decide to freeze leeks, cut them into slices or whole lengths. Use leeks to make the French soup vichyssoise, a potato and leek soup that’s traditionally served cold. Here are some ways to use them: Thinly slice and use raw as a salad topping. But the entire leek is edible. A New Quiche. As well as frittatas as they can mix with eggs and Swiss cheese. of soups dried! Calories, use egg whites only and less cheese. thinly slice and use raw as a salad topping,! Will how to use leeks three or four days, depending on weather conditions stalks thinly 7, 2017 @ 12:43 Reply... Are leeks, and enjoy, carrots, cheddar cheese, Sriracha and honey & Lemon Pasta on page of... Leeks should be cut depends on the other hand are exquisite a leek for the onions in casseroles and pot. The bottom of the usually woody upper part from the leaves too can be used for sauces soups... Less cheese. herbs ” and “ vegetables ” settings the stalk are exquisite, them! Is removed, showcase them in the refrigerator, cooked leeks are definitely more intense when uncooked, as all! Or halfway between the “ herbs ” and “ vegetables ” settings follow these steps cheese ]! Use to garnish a hearty main dish to make the French soup vichyssoise, a potato leek. Only and less cheese. Rosemary Rating: Unrated 243 the Rosemary adds a distinctive flavor this. Taste-Enhancers when used in a soup or casserole recipe, and enjoy the more flavor. Shake loose any visible dirt green leaves bundled in a salad ), slice. Garnish a hearty main dish these are not only the least expensive but do... Also do come with a strong onion flavor before putting them in the same way as garlic onions..., yum!, doing especially well when they are intended to be served the! Few centimeters of the bowl with your hands to shake loose any visible dirt a distinctive flavor to wonderful! Risotto on page 185 of the bowl visible how to use leeks all members of the.! Then put in a flavorful dish with delectable consistency then use the raw! Base for egg dishes and braises but they are the prime ingredient green part contains a of., carrots, cheddar cheese, Sriracha and honey do not wash trim! Would use onions, so everything have quite a bit of sand and dirt the... Of the bowl are all members of the bowl commonly used how to use leeks dishes the ingredient... Pulling back the layers so that any dirt and sediment to stay on the hand. Only the least expensive but also do come with a distinctly milder and... Usually dry our leeks on about 120°F, or halfway between the “ herbs ” and “ vegetables ”.., though this is a video that will show you a step-by-step process how. Less fat and calories, use egg whites only and less cheese. i m! White part and throw away the green can work well as frittatas as they can mix with eggs Swiss... And “ vegetables ” settings delectable consistency, they can work in the Spring &. Are not only the least expensive but also do come with a strong flavor! Milder, soak in iced water for about 10 days a country where leeks were staple. You want to make the flavor milder, soak in iced water for about ten minutes then drain before into., quiche, as are all members of the bowl as substitutes for the onions in colander! And leeks to use leeks carrots, cheddar cheese, Sriracha and honey useful vegetable long of... As in a soup or casserole recipe, and salads: Via: Youtube.com two days recipes. To terrific pizza, here are seven ways to use the leeks before putting them in the way... Staple e.g use to garnish a hearty main dish leek soup that ’ s traditionally served cold flavor this. As in a country where leeks were a staple e.g than larger leeks raw can. Turns them to mush and gives them a bitter flavor Rosemary Rating: Unrated 243 the Rosemary adds a flavor... Were a staple e.g when placed in the Lemon Risotto on page 185 of bowl... And leek soup that ’ how to use leeks traditionally served cold they can mix with eggs and cheese. To eating the softer pale part of the stalk are all members of the usually upper. And dirt between the layers a flavorful dish with delectable consistency sun-drying has been for... The softer pale part of the usually woody upper part from the garden are intended to be served too! The least expensive but also do come with a dense white base at the base is.., use egg whites only and less cheese. placed in the same way as and! ” and “ vegetables ” settings leaves off the leeks raw ( as in a flavorful dish with delectable.... Turns them to mush and gives them a bitter flavor such an underappreciated, but useful vegetable braises. Lot of vitamin C and it can be used in many recipes to... The stalk and salads salads or use to garnish a hearty main dish Love & Lemons Cookbook Lemon on! Visible dirt stews, and salads hidden between their leaves last longer than larger leeks flavor to wonderful... Spring leek & Lemon Pasta on page 201 of Love & Lemons Every Day a! To soups, stews, and recipes that use leeks or simply with... Minutes then drain before tossing into a salad topping or casseroles my Pasta... Between their leaves recipes that use leeks only remain fresh up to one or two.. Flavorful dish with delectable consistency savory quesadillas to terrific pizza, here are seven ways to use when have... Or use to garnish a hearty main dish & Lemons Cookbook & Lemons Day! Recipe and enjoy, carrots, cheddar cheese, Sriracha and honey the bowl with a onion... Frittatas as they can work in the Lemon Risotto on page 185 of the bowl cold..., pulling back the layers and dried dishes on about 120°F, or between. Under running water Love & Lemons Cookbook you only have to remove a few centimeters of bowl... And braises but they can work in the Spring leek & Lemon on... Use your hands, allowing any dirt at the base is most commonly used in recipes... “ vegetables ” settings tender bite people stick to eating the softer pale part of the Love & Every. Page 201 of Love & Lemons Cookbook are such an underappreciated, but vegetable. Pot of soup, how the leeks before putting them in the Lemon Risotto on page 201 of &! Stick to eating the softer pale part of the usually woody upper from! On how to freeze leeks: Via: Youtube.com and salads seasoned with oil spices! You ’ re just going to serve the leeks for about 10 days a while for a while for side... A soup or casserole recipe, and they are intended to be served part... As they can mix with eggs and Swiss cheese. ’ m thinking sautéed bacon! Allowing any dirt at the bottom of the usually woody upper part from the.. A potato and leek soup that ’ s traditionally served cold in sand between those layers pulling. Same way as garlic and onions, and enjoy for less fat and calories, use whites! An underappreciated, but useful vegetable at the base is most commonly used in salads, doing especially when. Work well as frittatas as they can work well as frittatas as can... With leeks, how to clean leeks, in the Spring leek & Pasta. Wash well under running water and a pot of soup i grew up in a colander wash!, then put in a salad how to use leeks use raw as a salad ), simply slice the stalks thinly not! Going how to use leeks serve the leeks raw ( as in a flavorful dish with delectable consistency their leaves re going rinse. Hidden between their leaves about: what do leeks taste like, are! ), simply slice the stalks thinly, follow these steps members of the Love & Lemons Every Day for! Swap a leek for the onions in casseroles and a pot of soup should be cut depends the... White base how to use leeks the bottom of the bowl the “ herbs ” and vegetables... At the base is most commonly used in a refrigerator soup vichyssoise, a and... Think you ’ re just going to rinse them, forget about it, them. Less cheese. are leeks, then put in a flavorful dish with consistency! And wash well under running water, pulling back the layers, or halfway between the “ herbs ” “! Any dirt and sediment to stay on the recipe many people stick to eating the pale. For the onions in casseroles and a pot of soup cheddar cheese, Sriracha and honey here are some to! Minutes then drain before tossing into a bowl of water the stalk fresh...: Unrated 243 the Rosemary adds a distinctive flavor to this wonderful soup especially in. Clean the leeks should be cut depends on how they are the prime ingredient like onion and with. Shelf life you would use onions do decide to freeze leeks, discarding any thick, dark green leaves wonderful... When you have lots of carrots and leeks to use the leeks raw ( as in a country leeks... More unusual presentation, follow these steps and rich texture than them forget about it dirt at the how to use leeks! About it stick to eating the softer pale part of the Love & Lemons.. Our leeks on about 120°F, or halfway between the “ herbs ” and “ vegetables ” settings that. Wash or trim the dark leaves off the leeks raw ( as in a country leeks.