If you happen to’ve watched The Menu, you in all probability bear in mind the awkward scene when the chef invitations Tyler, the self-proclaimed culinary professional, to cook dinner in his prestigious kitchen. Sadly, after making an attempt to assemble a easy leek and lamb plate—and failing spectacularly—Tyler surrendered. No spoilers, however botching the dinner didn’t finish so nicely for him.
Fortunately for you, although, you don’t must undergo Tyler’s destiny when confronted with these stalky inexperienced veggies: Studying the best way to cook dinner leeks correctly is definitely fairly simple.
Carefully associated to onions and garlic, leeks—which appear like darkish inexperienced, stalky leaves related by a white stem—typically are mistaken for bigger variations of scallions. Regardless of its scrumptious style and versatile nature, the vegetable doesn’t at all times get a number of hype. For example, whilst you’ve in all probability heard of potato leek soup, there are literally so many different pleasing methods to organize this root, from omelets to stir-frys. Whichever prep you select, they’re significantly tasty through the summer season and fall when they’re in season.
Leeks can present spectacular advantages to your well being, too, Kelsey Lloyd, MS, RD, LDN, tells SELF. Jam-packed with micronutrients like nutritional vitamins C and Ok, leeks additionally comprise almost 70 micrograms of vitamin A in only one cup, in response to the US Division of Agriculture—that’s about 10% of your day by day really helpful quantity. They’re an ideal supply of prebiotics, too, which can assist help your total digestive well being, she says.
However earlier than you possibly can reap these advantages, you first ought to know the best way to cook dinner leeks successfully so you can also make probably the most out of those magical inexperienced giants.
What’s one of the best ways to chop and clear leeks?
Earlier than you seize that knife, take into consideration your recipe, Frank Costantino, dean of the Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe Faculty, tells SELF. Most recipes name for chopped leeks, however some ask for them complete, and this may affect how it’s best to prep them.
If you happen to’re going the chopped route, you’ll minimize the leeks first earlier than cleansing after which dicing. One of the vital simple methods to chop leeks is much like how you’ll slice its cousin, the scallion—the one distinction is that you simply’ll give attention to the leek’s white stems:
- First, peel off the outer darkish inexperienced leaves of the leek. (They sometimes look extra dried out and worn than the sturdier layers.)
- Then, place the vegetable on its aspect so you will have a stable basis for chopping.
- Slash off the darkish inexperienced leaves, flip the leek round, and snip off the basis finish.
- Lastly, slit the stem in half lengthwise.
Now, it’s time to scrub them. Earlier than you begin rinsing them off, it’s vital to consider how leeks are grown. The plant is harvested from sandy soil, and since the vegetable has many alternative layers, that gritty matter typically will get trapped between the leaves. You’ll wish to wash all that crud out so that you don’t find yourself with a meal filled with grime.
