What are Leeks? (And How to Cook Them)

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Leeks are alliums, so they’re related to garlic, chives, shallots, and onions. Tasting them, you can tell. They have a sweet, oniony flavor that adds depth to soups, stews, pastas, and more!  I’ll share more of my favorite leek recipes in the post below, but generally, I use them as I do onions and shallots, to build flavor at the start of a recipe. However, because they’re milder than most other alliums, I also like to enjoy them on their own. 

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What are Leeks?

Grilled or roasted, they make a surprising, delicious side dish. Heads up – if you choose to serve them this way, look for really fresh, peak-season leeks. They’re at their best in the fall and spring.

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What are Leeks?

Now you know how to cut leeks, but what about how to cook them? My favorite methods for how to cook leeks are roasting, grilling, and sautéing. As I mentioned above, you’ll cut them a little differently for each cooking method: – To grill them, slice them in half lengthwise, rinse and dry them well, and grill both sides on medium-high until they’re well-charred and tender. – If you’re roasting them, halve them lengthwise, chop them into 1-inch chunks, and wash them 

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How to Cook Leeks

using the method described above. Then, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper and bake at 425° for about 20 minutes, or until they’re tender. – To sauté them, follow the cutting method described above, and warm a glug of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 5 minutes.

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How to Cook Leeks

– 1 bunch leeks – extra-virgin olive oil, as needed – sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Ingredients

How to Cut Leeks – Chop off the stringy roots and dark green leaves. You won't use the tough tops in most leek recipes, but I love to save them for vegetable stock. – Slice the leeks in half lengthwise. Lay them cut-side-down on a cutting board, and cut them into thin half-moons. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cool running water, tossing to remove any dirt or debris. Use a kitchen towel to blot them dry before you start to cook.

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Instructions

How to Cook LeeksTo sauté: follow the cutting method described above, and warm a glug of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, a few pinches of salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 5 minutes. – To roast: chop into 1-inch chunks, and wash them using the method described above. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 425° for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they're tender.

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Instructions

To grill: slice in half lengthwise (skip the chopping step above), rinse and dry them well, drizzle with a little olive oil and grill both sides on medium-high until they're well-charred and tender. Season with salt and pepper.

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Instructions