Leek (poireau) belong to the allium family, which includes garlic, chives, shallots, and onions. It’s obvious after tasting them. They enhance the flavor of soups, stews, pastas, and more with their sweet, oniony flavor. Leeks (poireau) are milder than most other alliums, though, so I also like to eat them by themselves. They make an unexpectedly wonderful side dish when roasted or grilled. In the fall and spring, they perform best. Leeks (poireau) are very versatile and work well cooked in various recipes or as a side dish. Two of the world’s most famous soups, Scotland’s cock-a-leekie and France’s crème vichyssoise, are based around them.

How to Prepare Leeks (poireau)

Thorough washing is very important for leeks (poireau), as soil is often trapped between the many layers of leaves. First, trim off the base, and cut away the uppermost part of the leaves. Remove the outer layer or white, if it’s tough. Then, if you want to keep the leek (poireau) whole, use a knife to make a slit from the top to the point where the green meets the white, cutting through the center. Rinse well under running water, pulling back the layers so that any dirt at the base is removed. Alternatively, slice the leeks, then put in a colander and wash well under running water.

How to cook leaks (poireau)

Slice them in half lengthwise, thoroughly clean and dry them, and then grill both sides of them on medium-high heat until they are well-charred and tender. If you’re roasting them, cut them in half lengthwise, cut them into chunks of one inch, and wash them as previously mentioned. Then, bake them at 425° for about 20 minutes, or until they are soft, after tossing them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use the aforementioned chopping technique to prepare them for sautéing while a large skillet is heated to medium heat with a generous amount of olive oil. Leeks should soften after around 5 minutes of cooking. Stir occasionally.

Health Benefits

In particular, the flavonoid kaempferol is abundant in leeks. Additionally to their potential for additional health advantages, flavonoids are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer characteristics. Future research involving people will be necessary to provide concrete evidence of these leek (poireau) health advantages.