What Are Leeks Used For

What Are Leeks and How Exercise You Cook With Them?

Peel back its layers and learn about this cousin to the onion.

What Are Leeks and What Do They Gustation Like?

A fellow member of the Allium family, leeks are a bulbous vegetable with a white base of operations that transitions from light green to dark green at the meridian. Merely the tender white portion is eaten. Some mistake this portion as the stem or stalk, but it is actually a cylindrical bundle of leaf sheaths.

Leeks have a mildly sweet flavor that is reminiscent of other alliums, such as onions, shallots, garlic, and chives. They are oftentimes used the mode onions are — as part of a base of flavors for soups, stews, and other long-cooking dishes. Still, their more mild flavor means they tin can be enjoyed on their ain besides.

How to Choice Leeks

Considering you lot'll be using only the white and light green parts for cooking, look for leeks with enough of white coming up from the root. Smaller leaks tend to be more flavorful.

How to Prepare Leeks

leeks on cut board with sliced leeks in water bowl

How to Cutting Leeks

Cut off the root and the tough dark-green leaves at the acme.
Cut the leek in half lengthwise.
If you're non cooking whole leeks, go ahead and lay them cut-side-downward and cutting them into half moons.

How to Wash Leeks

Leeks agree a lot of dirt between their sheaths, then cleaning them is actress of import. You can exercise so one of three ways:

Use a colander: Identify the whole or sliced leeks into a colander and rinse with running h2o, using your hands to toss them until all dirt and debris are gone. Blot dry out with a paper towel.
Soak: Soak leeks in common cold water for almost 30 minutes, repeating until in that location is no clay in the water.
Use a salad spinner: Fill a salad spinner with sliced leeks and rinse with common cold water. Spin the leeks in the salad spinner until dry.

How to Cook With Leeks

Braised, steamed, sautéed, poached, or pureed, a sturdy-looking leek cooks down to velvety sweetness. French leek and potato soup is a favorite dish in which leeks and potatoes are pureed in a foam-based soup. You lot tin as well add sliced likes to a flossy dip to add onion-similar season without overwhelming the dip. Try roasting them whole and serving aslope meats or eggs. Or don't cook them at all! Sliced leeks make a crunchy, fibrous topping for soups and salads.

How to Store Leeks

Leeks can keep for months when stored in a root cellar, or up to two weeks when loosely wrapped in plastic and kept in the fridge. Don't launder or trim them until you're ready to employ, every bit this tin can assist preclude their smell from being absorbed by neighboring foods.

Leeks Nutrition

Leeks are low in calories, much like greenish onions, and boast a number of wellness benefits:

They're rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants with inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anticancer properties.
They're a adept source of vitamin K, which may assist reduce the risk of osteoporosis, in addition to aiding in blood clotting for wounds and supporting center health.
They're high in fiber, which helps promote regularity and a healthy digestive system.

Leek vs. Green Onions

Dark-green onions are the best substitute for leeks, however, they're nonetheless quite different. Unlike leeks which tenderize while cooking, light-green onions can become slimy under high estrus. Green onions have a much pungent flavor than leeks, which is why they are generally added to dishes after cooking to add freshness and crisis.

More Leek Recipes

Find recipe inspiration for cooking with leeks.

fried eggs on roasted leeks

Lemon and Herb Risotto Cake
French Leek Pie
Anaheim Fish Tacos
Vichyssoise
Tater Leek Soup III
Colcannon

Related:

5 Means to Cook with Leeks
Scallions vs. Green Onions: What's the Difference?
Browse our unabridged collection of Leek Recipes.