Leeks and pasta are like old friends reunited on a plate—comforting, familiar, yet with the potential to surprise. Picture this: the gentle, oniony sweetness of leeks mingling with al dente pasta, turning an ordinary meal into a culinary hug. I once tried this combo on a rainy Saturday, and it was like sunshine breaking through clouds.
Steps
- Begin by checking the condition of the dark green tips of the leeks and ensure they are clean by washing thoroughly to remove any trapped dirt.
- Retain the dark green ends of the leeks as they can be softened by quickly cooking in oil or butter.
- For leek carbonara, cook the leeks until soft, then add them to a classic carbonara sauce for a rich, oniony twist.
- Prepare leek risotto by cooking leeks with rice, then top with fried anchovies and breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor.
- To make leek lasagne with kale and ricotta, layer cooked leeks with kale, ricotta, and pesto, then bake until golden.
- For a chicken and leek bake, combine sweet leeks with chicken thighs, bacon, cheese sauce, and breadcrumbs, then bake until crispy.
- Create a curried leek and potato hash by seasoning leeks and potatoes with curry powder, cumin, and mustard seeds, and serve with a fried egg.
- Make a chicken, leek, and bacon pie by filling a pastry with leeks, chicken, tarragon, and bacon, then bake until the pastry is golden.
- For buttery leek and smoked trout kedgeree, cook leeks with smoked trout and rice for a quick midweek meal.
- Prepare a bacon, cheddar, and leek quiche by filling a pastry shell with bacon, leeks, and cheddar, then bake until set.
- Make leek soup with bacon and barley by simmering leeks with bacon and barley for a simple, hearty soup.
- Stuff butternut squash with a mixture of blue cheese and leeks for a festive vegetarian centerpiece.
- For leek fondue toasts, cook leeks in a creamy sauce and serve on toast as a savory snack or side.
- Create leek fritters by mixing leeks with cheddar cheese, then fry until golden, and serve with avocado or salad.
- Prepare buttered leeks with pangritata by frying leeks with breadcrumbs as a side dish or toast topping.
- For chicken and leek pie, fill a puff pastry with a creamy leek and chicken mixture, then bake until golden.
- Leek and potato soup is made by simmering leeks and potatoes until soft, then blending until smooth.
- Make a one-pot chicken, leek, and beans dish by simmering chicken and leeks with beans for a healthy meal.
- Prepare a blue cheese leek dish by cooking leeks with blue cheese and bacon breadcrumbs for a savory side.
- For leek, pea, and spinach soup, blend cooked leeks with peas and spinach for a nutritious soup.
- Make a healthier chicken and leek pie by topping a creamy leek and chicken mixture with ciabatta breadcrumbs.
- Create a homity leek pie by filling a pastry with leeks, potatoes, and spinach for a comforting vegetarian meal.
- For creamy leek and cheese pie, fill a pastry with leeks and cheese, then bake and serve or freeze for later.
- Prepare spanakopita by filling filo pastry with spinach and leeks, then bake until crispy.
- Make chicken, leek, and Dijon casserole by cooking leeks with chicken and Dijon mustard in a creamy sauce.
- For goat’s cheese pizza, top a rye flour base with leeks, pancetta, and goat’s cheese, then bake.
- Leek fondue linguine is made by tossing linguine in a sauce of leeks, white wine, and crème fraîche.
- Prepare tortellini in a leek and herb broth by simmering tortellini with leeks in a flavorful broth.
- Make a leek, green olive, and sultana pissaladière by topping dough with leeks, olives, and sultanas.
- For lemon chicken with charred leeks, grill leeks and serve with lemon-seasoned chicken.
- Prepare sea bream with barley and leeks by cooking leeks with barley, tomatoes, and wine, then serve with fish.
- Make cheddar, leek, and amaranth flapjacks by mixing leeks with cheddar and amaranth, then bake.
- For spring veg and lemon broth, simmer leeks and greens with lemon for a light, healthy soup.
- Roast whole mackerel with leeks, kohlrabi, and artichokes for an impressive dinner party dish.
- Prepare leek and crab lasagne by layering leeks and crab between pasta sheets, then bake.
- Make caramelised baby leeks by cooking them with balsamic vinegar for a sweet and sour side dish.
- For mini chicken, leek, and mushroom pies, fill pastry with a creamy leek mixture, then bake.
- Make chicken, leek, and mustard sauté by cooking chicken with leeks, cream, and mustard, then top with breadcrumbs.
- Prepare crab and leek on toast by topping toast with cooked leeks, crabmeat, and cheese.
- For turkey, leek, and bacon pie, fill pastry with a mixture of leeks, turkey, and bacon, then bake.
- Make butter-poached trout with burnt leeks by serving trout on a bed of caramelized leeks.
- Ash-roast leeks over coals and serve with a caper and tarragon dressing for a smoky side dish.
- Top blinis with charred leeks and whipped ricotta for a festive appetizer.
- For leek gratin, bake leeks with cheddar and breadcrumbs until golden and crispy.
Ingredients
- Leeks
- Olive oil or butter
- Spaghetti or linguine
- Risotto rice
- Anchovy fillets
- Breadcrumbs
- Kale
- Ricotta cheese
- Pesto
- Chicken thighs
- Bacon
- Cheese sauce
- Curry powder
- Cumin seeds
- Black mustard seeds
- Eggs
- Edd Kimber’s chicken
- Tarragon
- Smoked trout
- Shortcrust pastry
- Marmite
- Streaky bacon
- Cheddar cheese
- Barley
- Blue cheese
- Butternut squash
- Avocado
- Watercress salad
- Pangritata
- Puff pastry
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Dijon mustard
- Goat’s cheese
- Pancetta
- Rye flour
- Wheatgerm
- White wine
- Crème fraîche
- Tortellini
- Parmesan cheese
- Green olives
- Sultanas
- Lemon
- Fennel
- Sea bream
- Pearl barley
- Sundried tomatoes
- Garlic
- Amaranth
- Kohlrabi
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Crab meat
- Balsamic vinegar
- Mushrooms
- Mustard
- Turkey
- Hazelnuts
- Capers
- Tarragon dressing
- Whipped ricotta
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Golden breadcrumbs
FAQ
- Can you freeze leeks?
- Yes, leeks can be frozen both cooked and uncooked. For easier storage, it’s recommended to slice them before freezing.
- What are the health benefits of leeks?
- Leeks are packed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, and K, which support healthy skin, a robust immune system, and strong bones. They’re also high in fiber, aiding digestion, and contain antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.
- How should I prepare leeks for cooking?
- To prepare leeks, it’s important to wash them thoroughly to remove dirt trapped between the layers. Peel away the tough outer layer and consider softening the dark green ends with a quick cook in oil or butter.
- What are some popular ways to use leeks in cooking?
- Leeks are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pies, soups, stews, and casseroles. They add a delicate, sweet flavor and become wonderfully tender when cooked slowly.
- Why are leeks a favorite ingredient for many cooks?
- Leeks are loved for their subtle, sweet taste and the creamy texture they develop when cooked gently over low heat. They are a flavorful addition to many recipes and pair well with a variety of ingredients.
Tips
- When purchasing leeks, inspect the dark green tips to ensure they are in good condition, and remember to wash them thoroughly, as leeks are known for trapping dirt between their layers.
- Don’t discard the dark green ends of leeks; while they may seem tough, a quick sauté in oil or butter will soften them up, making them a flavorful addition to your dishes.
- For easy storage and convenience, slice leeks before freezing them, whether cooked or uncooked. This makes them easier to handle and store.
- Leeks are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pies, soups, stews, and casseroles. Be sure to wash and peel them to remove the tough outer layer before cooking.
Equipment
- Mandoline Slicer – For evenly slicing leeks and other vegetables.
- Ramekins or Individual Pie Dishes – Needed for making individual pies or servings like the mini chicken, leek and mushroom pies.
- Grill Pan or BBQ – For achieving the smoky flavor in recipes like ash-roasted leeks.
- Food Processor – Useful for making smooth purees or finely chopping ingredients for some of the recipes.
- Pasta Machine – If making homemade pasta for recipes like leek fondue linguine.
- Barbecue or Outdoor Grill – For recipes that suggest grilling, such as ash-roasted leeks on a BBQ.
- Cast Iron Skillet – Useful for recipes that require high heat cooking, such as caramelised baby leeks.
- Immersion Blender – For blending soups directly in the pot, such as leek and potato soup.
- Cheese Grater/Zester – For grating cheese or zesting lemon in recipes like the leek gratin.
- Pie Weights – To prevent pastry from puffing up in recipes such as quiches or pies.
