Find out how to use this ingredient in 5 recipes

The famous leek is a vegetable from the onion and garlic family that has been gaining more and more space in Brazilian cuisine. However, even with all the popularity of the vegetable, there are still many people who don’t know how to use leek in your recipes.

If it’s up to us, this won’t be a problem anymore, because we’ll teach you everything you need to know to use leeks the right way. Also known as leek, it has a cylindrical shape, a thick, white stalk, with very green leaves.

With a mild flavor, leeks are used in several recipes, including the white part, which is less fibrous, and even the green leaves, which give a special flavor to the dish.. Anyway, below we will also check out recipes that you can use the ingredient of the moment.

Take the opportunity to also get to know another vegetable that is a little unusual around here, edamame.

How to use leeks?

Check out everything you need to know the right way to use this vegetable below.

How to wash?

First, you will remove the two ends of the leek, that is, the root and the darker leaves. In fact, you can discard the root and use the leaves for other recipes.

Then, make a cut in the vegetable lengthwise, starting from the root side towards the leaves. Once this is done, open the tangle of leaves to remove any dirt that may be trapped in this part of the vegetable. This way, wash it very well with running water and it is ready to use.

How to cut leeks?

Cutting is also very simple. If you are going to use the vegetable in recipes such as stir-fries, especially soups or risottos, you only need to cut it into medium-sized slices, approximately 1 centimeter in size.

To do this, simply place the clean vegetable on a cutting board and use a very sharp knife. Now, if the stem is thicker, you can use a trick to make it easier. Just cut in half lengthwise and slice into half moons. It’s quite simple.

How to store?

Did you buy a lot of leeks for a recipe and have leftovers? Don’t worry, there aren’t many secrets to storing this vegetable.

Therefore, just store it in the vegetable drawer in the refrigerator. However, it needs to be whole, without being washed or chopped. This way, the leeks can last up to a week.

How to use leeks in recipes?

Below we will present some simple but very delicious recipes using leeks.

1. Leek risotto

Ingredients

• 2 spoons of butter
• half chopped medium onion
• 2 cups of rice
• 2 sachets of ready-made seasoning
• 2 pinches of salt
• 1 liter of boiling water
• 2 cups of leeks, cut into rings
• 100 g of grated cheese

Preparation mode

1. First, take a medium saucepan and add half the butter and place over high heat to melt.
2. Then, add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes, or until transparent.
3. Once done, add the rice, ready-made seasoning and salt, and sauté until the rice is completely coated.
4. Add the water little by little, without stopping stirring, and cook over low heat for 12 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
5. So, remove from the heat, add the leek, cheese and the rest of the butter and mix well.
6. Finally, close the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes.

2. Leek and potato soup

Ingredients

• 2 spoons of Olive Oil
• 3 medium potatoes cut into cubes
• 1 envelope of ready-made seasoning
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1.2 liters of water
• 2 cups sliced ​​leeks

Preparation mode

1. Add the olive oil to a pan and heat to heat.
2. Add the potatoes, ready-made seasoning and salt. Sauté very well.
3. Add the water and cook for 20 minutes with the pan covered. Remove from the fire and wait until it cools down.
4. Then, in a blender add the cooked potatoes and blend for three minutes until smooth.
5. In another pan, add the olive oil and leek and sauté until it wilts a little.
6. Transfer the mixture from the blender to the pan with the leeks and cook for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

3. Fish with leek

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1 sachet of ready-made lemon flavor seasoning
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 leek stalk, cut into slices
• 1 shimeji tray, separate
• 2 spoons of butter

Preparation mode

1. First, place the fish fillets in a bowl and season with half the lemon seasoning sachet. Turn the fish over and sprinkle the rest of the seasoning and a little salt
2. Then, on a smooth surface, place 4 sheets of baking paper to assemble the paper.
3. Inside each bag, place a seasoned fish fillet, leek, shimeji and butter.
4. Close the bags and bake in a medium oven at 180 degrees for 25 minutes.
5. Finally, remove from the oven, open the packets carefully and it’s ready to serve.

4. Leek gratin

Ingredients

• 1 spoon of margarine
• 2 spoons of wheat flour
• 2 and a half cups of milk
• 1 sachet of ready-made seasoning
• 1 pinch of salt
• 4 medium leek stalks, sliced
• 2 spoons of grated parmesan cheese

Preparation mode

1. Start by melting the margarine in a pan over high heat.
2. Then add the wheat flour and stir well – but don’t let it brown.
3. Gradually add the milk and cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens.
4. Season with the ready-made seasoning, salt and mix well.
5. In a small ovenproof dish, place the leek, then cover with the white sauce, and sprinkle with the grated cheese on top.
6. Bake in a medium oven at 180 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the cheese browns.
7. Finally, remove from the oven and you can now serve.

5. Leek leaf and stalk quiche

Dough ingredients

• 1 cup margarine
• 2 cups of wheat flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 spoons of water
• half a spoon of salt
• half a spoon of ready-made seasoning

Filling ingredients

• 2 spoons of oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• leaves and stalks of a large leek, cut into thin slices
• 1 sachet of ready-made yellow seasoning
• 1 pinch of salt
• 4 spoons of milk
• 4 beaten eggs

Preparation mode

1. First prepare the dough. Then, in a medium bowl, place the margarine, flour, water, salt and ready-made seasoning and mix with your fingertips, until you obtain a moist crumb.
2. Once done, transfer to round molds with a removable bottom and then press the dough with your fingers, covering the bottom and sides.
3. For the filling, take a medium pan, add the oil and heat it.
4. Add the onion, leek, yellow seasoning and salt, and sauté until golden.
5. So, add the milk and mix for another 1 minute.
6. Remove from heat and let cool. Add the egg and mix.
7. Now, distribute the filling in the center of the dough and bake in a medium oven at 180 degrees for 25 minutes.
8. Finally, remove from the oven, wait for it to cool slightly and serve.

Anyway, did you enjoy learning how to use leeks and these recipes? So take the opportunity to also check out how to make vegetable soup.

Sources: Sabores Ajinomoto Bem Afiada Panelaterapia