**Leeks in Vinaigrette: A Culinary Journey Through Freshness, Simplicity, and Versatility**
Embark on a culinary expedition with leeks in vinaigrette, a symphony of flavors that celebrates the humble leek's elegance. This article presents a collection of delectable recipes that showcase the versatility of leeks, taking you on a journey through simplicity, freshness, and culinary artistry. Discover the classic French vinaigrette dressing, a harmonious blend of tangy vinegar, smooth oil, and herbs, which complements the leeks' delicate flavor profile. Explore variations of this classic, incorporating citrusy notes, creamy textures, and aromatic herbs. From a warm and comforting leek and potato soup to a refreshing leek and apple salad, these recipes span a range of dishes, each highlighting the leeks' unique charm. Indulge in a delightful leek and bacon quiche, where the leeks' sweetness harmonizes with the bacon's savory smokiness. Experience the vibrant colors and textures of a roasted leek and goat cheese tart, where the caramelized leeks add a delightful depth of flavor. Dive into the world of leek-infused pasta, a medley of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
LEEKS VINAIGRETTE
Braising leeks brings out their buttery texture. Serve them alongside broiled fish or roast chicken.
Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Categories Egg Mustard Appetizer Side Braise Vegetarian Quick & Easy Leek Fall Healthy Bon Appétit Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 425°F. Trim dark-green tops from leeks, leaving root end intact. Remove tough outer layer. Starting 1" above root end, halve leeks lengthwise. Wash leeks, making sure to clean all sand from between layers. Dry slightly on paper towels.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil and butter in a large, deep ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook, turning occasionally, until light golden in spots, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook until almost all liquid is absorbed, 3-4 minutes. Add 1 cup water, chicken stock, thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Transfer skillet to oven. Bake until leeks are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk 1 tablespoon parsley, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer leeks to a platter, drizzle with vinaigrette, top with eggs, and garnish with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.
LEEKS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Game Plan: Make the vinaigrette while the leeks cook.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Trim the root end of the leeks, leaving enough to hold the leaves together, and halve lengthwise. Rinse very well under running water to flush out any grit trapped between the leaves. Add the leeks to the boiling water and cook until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the leeks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pat dry and lay them on a serving platter.
- Meanwhile, whisk the vinegar, mustard, water, and the 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing. Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over leeks, turn them to coat, and scatter the parsley and the tarragon, if using, over the top. Serve immediately or up to 2 hours later at room temperature.
CLASSIC LEEKS VINAIGRETTE
For leeks vinaigrette, look for smallish leeks, which are more tender and more closely resemble asparagus spears, for the French call this dish "asperges du pauvre," the poor man's asparagus. This is important; a crunchy leek is unpleasant. Drain the leeks and hold at room temperature for up to several hours, but do not refrigerate or they'll lose their delicate texture. To serve, simply smear the leeks with vinaigrette; I make a thick, sharp rather mustardy one to complement the sweetness of the leeks. Then garnish as you wish. I like capers, hard-cooked egg, olives and cornichons.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories quick, weekday, salads and dressings
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Trim leeks, removing tough outer layers and cutting off root ends. Leave a little green at the top. Make a lengthwise slit part way down each leek. Put leeks in a large basin of warm tap water and swish vigorously to dislodge any sand or dirt. Remove carefully, leaving grit in basin.
- Fill a medium sauce pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and put in leeks. Cook at a brisk simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until leeks are quite tender when pierced with a paring knife. Drain and cool to room temperature.
- Make vinaigrette: put mustard and vinegar in a bowl and stir to dissolve. Whisk in olive oil to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Blot leeks and divide among 4 plates. Spoon vinaigrette over leeks, smearing with back of spoon. Sprinkle with capers. Garnish each plate with cornichons, olives and half an egg.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 173, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 474 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEEKS WITH WALNUT VINAIGRETTE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 25m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Trim the tough dark green tops and stem ends of 12 leeks, but keep the bases intact. Halve lengthwise and rinse well. Boil in salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and cool in a bowl of salted ice water, then drain and pat dry. Whisk 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk in 1/3 cup walnut oil and drizzle over the leeks. Top with chopped toasted walnuts and chopped parsley.
LEEKS VINAIGRETTE
Categories Salad Mustard Vegetable Sauté Thanksgiving Quick & Easy Salad Dressing Vinegar Bacon Ham Leek Winter Parsley Simmer Gourmet
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cut off dark green tops of leeks and trim root ends. Halve each leek lengthwise to within 2 inches of root end. Rinse well under cold running water to wash away sand. Cover leeks with cold water in a 12-inch heavy skillet. Add salt and simmer leeks, uncovered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer leeks to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain and pat dry with paper towels.
- While leeks simmer, finely chop pancetta, then cook in 1 tablespoon oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk together vinegar, mustard, remaining 1/4 cup oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl until emulsified. Add leeks and gently toss to coat. Serve topped with pancetta and parsley.
BROILED LEEKS VINAIGRETTE
A classic French first course, cooked leeks dressed with a mustardy vinaigrette can be wonderful or dull, depending on the size of the leeks. Don't use giant ones; choose medium to small leeks for tender results. A few minutes under the broiler adds flavor to this version, which is served warm.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, lunch, appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer. Prepare the leeks: Trim leeks of outer layer and roots. Cut crosswise to divide leeks into white bottoms and green tops (remove and discard the tough gray-green parts). Soak leeks in a large bowl of lukewarm water, swishing to dislodge sand. Lift from water and drain.
- Add the white pieces to the pot and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Using tongs, remove the white pieces, then cook the green pieces for 4 to 5 minutes. Both white and green pieces should be tender when probed with a paring knife. Blot dry. Transfer to a baking dish in one layer. Let cool.
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then whisk in 6 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, thyme and Parmesan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper; toss well. Spread crumbs on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp and golden. When cool, mix in 2 tablespoons parsley.
- Heat broiler. Brush leeks lightly with olive oil and place several inches from flame. Broil for about 5 minutes, until browned and lightly charred.
- Spoon vinaigrette evenly over leeks. Top with crumbs and egg. Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 349, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 912 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEEKS VINAIGRETTE WITH SIEVED EGG
Nothing brings down a leek like a few grains of sand, so be sure to wash and wash and wash again. I love to eat these leeks after my main course but on the same plate so that the vinaigrette mingles with the last traces of pan drippings.
Provided by Gabrielle Hamilton
Categories dinner
Time 1h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Slice off the tangled root end and the thick, woody dark green top of each leek at the approximate same length. Wash the leeks vigorously under slow-running cold water, using your hands and fingers to scrape away insistent dirt and sand. Arrange them on a cutting board, and in one confident move, stab the tip of a sharp chef's knife into the leek 1/2 inch from the root end, and run it the rest of the length to the green top, in essence cleaving the leek starting from the white pale root, making two legs and a crotch, where only one thick column was to start. Back at the sink, wash again and again, keeping the leeks intact, but removing every single last grain of sand.
- Place the leeks in a shallow heatproof dish large enough to hold all of them snugly in a single layer. Barely cover leeks with water, leaving them, as we often say, bobbing in the water like crocodiles submerged at the river's edge. Season with salt, and scatter with the black peppercorns. Cover with parchment, being sure that the parchment is tucked in around all the edges of your casserole dish. Add a few spoonfuls of water evenly on top of the parchment - allowing the weight of the water to help hold down the parchment, which will start to dome from heat and condensation once the cooking starts. Bring the water to a gentle simmer, and hold it there until the leeks are tender without being mushy, with no raw, crunchy quality at all. The color will be drab on the exterior and still attractive halcyon at the centers. This may take 10 minutes, or even 20; you have to watch them.
- Remove the leeks from the water with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a clean rack, draining all of their cooking water. Once they have cooled completely, remove the outermost papery, inedible layers of the leek to reveal the tender interiors. Also pick out any black peppercorns that may be clinging inside the layers. Cut into quarters on a bias, and arrange attractively on a serving platter.
- For the vinaigrette, place the grated garlic, mustard and red wine vinegar in bowl. Add in a pinch of kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To assemble, dress the leeks generously with the vinaigrette. Push the egg whites through a fine-mesh sieve, followed by the yolks, over the leeks - exploiting the color contrast. Scatter with chopped parsley. And finish with a solid few grinds of black pepper. Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 329, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 351 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
POIREAUX VINAIGRETTE (LEEKS VINAIGRETTE)
Provided by Pierre Franey
Categories dinner, weekday, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Trim off root ends of the leeks, but leave the bases solid and intact. Trim off green tops crosswise, leaving a base about five or seven inches long. Use the green parts of the leeks for soups and seasoning in other dishes. The trimmed weight is about 1 1/4 pounds.
- Using a sharp knife, split the leeks in half lengthwise, starting about two inches from the stem end and cutting through the leaves. Rinse the leeks well under cold running water to remove the dirt between the leaves. You may tie the leeks with string. Put the leeks in a casserole and add cold water to cover with salt to taste. Bring to the boil and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. The cooking time of the leeks will vary, depending on the size and age of the leeks. Take care never to overcook leeks or they will be mushy.
- Drain the leeks thoroughly and let stand until cool enough to handle, then press them between the hands to extract excess liquid.
- Split the leeks in half lengthwise and then in half crosswise. Arrange them neatly on a serving dish.
- Put the mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Beat vigorously with a wire whisk. Gradually add the oil, beating constantly.
- Spoon the sauce over the leeks and sprinkle with finely chopped parsley.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 427, UnsaturatedFat 34 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 331 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LIGHT LEEKS VINAIGRETTE
This classic French dish makes a light appetizer.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Trim tough, dark greens from leeks; discard. Halve leeks lengthwise, and cut off root ends, leaving as much of bulb intact as possible. Rinse each half under running water, carefully separating layers to loosen dirt.
- Place a steamer basket over a saucepan filled with water; simmer. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
- Place leeks in steamer basket, cover and steam, until very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool; drain. Dry on paper towels, cut side down, patting gently.
- In a small bowl, whisk oil, mustards, and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Arrange leeks on a platter; spoon vinaigrette over top.
LEEKS VINAIGRETTE WITH HARD-COOKED EGG
Finely grated egg makes a confetti-like topping for this pretty dish. Serve it with our Apricot-Bourbon Glazed Ham as part of your Easter feast -- or any sunny spring celebration.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Set a steamer basket in a saucepan with 2 inches simmering water. Halve leeks lengthwise and rinse thoroughly. Add to basket, cover, and steam until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer leeks to a serving platter.
- Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add vinegar and sugar; cook 1 minute. Stir in mustard and season with salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. Spoon vinaigrette over leeks. Using the small holes of a box grater, grate egg over leeks. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g
LEEKS IN VINAIGRETTE
Leeks marinated in a lemony vinaigrette are offered at room temperature
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Make the poached leeks: Bring thyme, lemon juice, a large pinch of salt, and 5 quarts water to a boil in a large stockpot. Add leeks; reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Using tongs, transfer leeks to paper towels to drain; discard thyme and cooking liquid. Transfer leeks to a platter.
- Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together mustard and lemon zest and juice in a small bowl. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour vinaigrette over leeks. Let stand 30 minutes.
LEEKS VINAIGRETTE
Provided by Elaine Louie
Categories easy, side dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 3 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Wash leeks by soaking them in cold water and peeling off tough outer leaves. Trim bottoms and tops, leaving 8 inches of leeks. Steam 20 minutes. Run cold water over them for a minute to bring down temperature.
- Drain leeks. Arrange on platter and pour vinaigrette over them. Chill 1 hour.
Leek Recipes: Tips and Conclusion
Tips:
- Select tender and flavorful leeks. Look for leeks that are firm and have a bright green color. Avoid leeks that are wilted or have yellow or brown spots.
- Trim and clean the leeks properly. Cut off the root end and the tough outer leaves. Then, slice the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
- Use a variety of cooking methods. Leeks can be boiled, steamed, roasted, grilled, or sautéed. Each cooking method will produce a different flavor and texture.
- Don't overcook the leeks. Leeks should be cooked until they are tender but still have a slight bite to them. Overcooked leeks will become mushy and lose their flavor.
- Add leeks to your favorite dishes. Leeks can be added to soups, stews, salads, pasta dishes, and more. They can also be used as a garnish.
Conclusion:
Leeks are a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. With their mild onion-like flavor, leeks add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to any dish. Whether you are boiling, steaming, roasting, grilling, or sautéing them, leeks are a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals. So next time you're looking for a new vegetable to try, give leeks a try. You won't be disappointed!
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