Leeks are often used in soups and stews, but they can be cooked in a delicious way that will bring out their true flavour and make them taste so much better.
Leeks, overlooked as a vegetable due to how bland they can often taste, are usually only used in soups and stews. Many people have only ever tasted them boiled, unaware of the flavour they can have when cooked correctly.
However, Natasha, a cooking expert behind Salt & Lavender, has praised the savoury richness of leeks when sautéed in a bit of butter.
She said: “Leeks don’t just go in soups and stews; their delicious mild oniony flavour is fantastic when sautéed and further mellowed with butter. These irresistible buttered leeks are great when you want to try something a little different for a side dish.”
Boiling leeks can dilute their sweet, onion-like taste, resulting in a watery texture. Their delicate layers can also become mushy when exposed to hot water, which isn’t always very appetising.
Sautéing leeks enhances their sweetness, deepens their flavour, and caramelises them, resulting in a far better tasting vegetable.
Autumn is the prime time to purchase leeks, as they’re in season. With the right preparation, this budget-friendly veg can be transformed into a delectably flavourful side dish, reports the Express.
Here’s how to make your leeks more tasty. You will need:
Method:
To start, prepare the leeks by chopping off the dark green part of the vegetable to retain the bulbs. Slice the bulbs into rings, then pop them in a colander for a good wash.
Dirt can lurk in the layers for weeks, so give them a proper clean with your hands, and then give them a good shake in the colander to dry them off.
Next, it’s time to get cooking. Add the olive oil and butter to a pan, then heat on a medium-high setting until the butter has fully melted.
Crush the garlic cloves, then toss them into the pan along with the leeks. Give the leeks a good stir in the pan until they are completely coated in oil, then reduce the heat to medium.
Fry the leeks for seven to 10 minutes until they’re tender, then season with salt and pepper. Your golden and crispy leeks will then be ready to dish up as a delicious autumn side dish.