Leeks are delicious and extremely simple to cook. Find out how to prepare and cook leeks in this simple guide.
Serve up leeks today and you'll be in the company of those who built the pyramids, Roman Emperor Nero and, of course, the Welsh Army at the time of St David.
Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates even prescribed them as an antidote to nosebleeds!
I've never eaten a leek to stop a nosebleed but I do agree with Nero that they well worth eating!
Leeks have many uses
Leeks often appear in vegetable boxes and bags throughout the winter months.
However, it's all too easy to let them shrivel up in the bottom of the fridge.
This is a shame because they are extremely useful as well as delicious tasting.
Leeks are a member of the allium family of vegetables (along with onions, garlic, chives and shallots). This means that they can be used in place of onions in many recipes.
Some ideas for cooking with leeks
- in stir fries
- in soups
- as a base for vegetable stock
- with potatoes
- in a frittata or omelette
- with cheese
- roasted
- raw in a salad
- in Turkish cuisine.
Fun facts about leeks
Want to share some fun facts about leeks with your kids? Here are some to get your started:
- Leeks have been farmed since the time of the Ancient Egyptians and were probably eaten by the people who built the pyramids.
- Hippocrates - an Ancient Greek physician - prescribed leeks as a cure for nosebleeds.
- According to legend the Welsh army wore leeks in their hats during a battle with the Saxons in 640AD - leeks are still the Welsh national emblem!
- Roman Emperor Nero was known as Porophagus - leek eater - because he ate so many of them. He believed that they'd help him sing better.
Source British Leeks.
Health benefits
Like many vegetables leeks are a full of nutrients including:
- vitamin A (which helps with vision and the immune system)
- vitamin K
- manganese
- vitamin B6
- flavonoid kaempferol
Source: The Guardian.
How to cook leeks
Leeks can be boiled or steamed. Follow the preparation instructions below and then boil or steam for 10 minutes or until soft.
While boiled leeks are good, leeks sautéed in olive oil or butter on the other hand are exquisite. This is my preferred way to cook them.
How to sauté leeks
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
1. Trim the ends off of the leeks, discarding any thick, dark green leaves. Rinse well under running water as leeks often have mud hidden between their leaves.
2. Slice into rounds and rinse again in a colander if you can see any mud.
3. Heat 1-2 tablespoons butter or olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat.
4. Add the leeks and stir well, cooking for around 10 minutes until softened. You can cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low to speed the process up a bit.
5. Use them in the recipe of your choice - or try them with cheese on toast.
If you've made this recipe please a leave a star rating and comment below. Thank you
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Sautéed leeks
Equipment
- Colander
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter or vegan butter
- 2 large leeks
- pinch sea salt to taste, optional
Instructions
- Trim the ends of leeks, discarding any thick, dark green leaves. Rinse well under running water as leeks often have mud hidden between their leaves.
- Slice into rounds and rinse again in a colander if you can see any mud.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat.
- Add the leeks and stir well, cooking for around 10 minutes until softened. You can cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low to speed the process up a bit. Stir often.
- Season with salt if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Sian Lang
Leeks are awesome! Some great recipes here, as well as leek facts. When I lived in Catalunya years ago, I remember they had a festival called a calcotada, where they would basically go into the countryside and eat loads and loads of small leek things called calcots, chargrilled and washed down with wine that you pour directly into your mouth from the jug. Leeks and wine: a match made in heaven 🙂
Mandy Mazliah
Oh yes I've had those - they are incredible. What a great memory.
Stacey Kemeys
A national emblem at one point, who would have thought! Already a leek lover here
Mandy Mazliah
I love these leek facts - who'd have known there were so many interesting things to learn about one vegetable!
Angela Entwistle
What a great post Mandy, (and series). I love learning about the food that we might take for granted. i had no appreciation that leeks went so far back in time, and that they were bizzarely used to stop nosebleeds! Funny little fact that :-)Angela x
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Angela - there were loads of extra facts that I didn't include too - such a fascinating subject (at least I think it is!!) x
Severien Vits
My kids don't like leeks at all, I need to work on this! The talk about the Romans may help! I make them with spring leaves, crunchy peanut butter, honey and soya sauce, which is really delicious, but the kids don't like it (yet)!
Mandy Mazliah
That sounds really delicious - definitely going to try that!
Eb Gargano
Totally agree with you - sauteed in butter are the best - one of my favourite Easy Peasy Foodie dishes of all time was in my epic sprout post when I did leeks and sprouts sauteed in butter (with a few lardons too) so, so good. The leeks and sprouts go so well together. and both benefit from being fried rather than boiled (I am definitely NOT a fan of boiled leeks!) Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare 🙂 Eb x
Mandy Mazliah
Haven't tried leeks and sprouts together - will definitely do that next time I have some sprouts in - yum!
Corina
I really like leeks and so does my little boy - He's happy to just eat them boiled but we put them in pancakes yesterday (and last week) and he gobbled them up too! I just need to get my husband to eat them as well. I put some in a soup last week and he picked all the bits of leek out!
Mandy Mazliah
Ah your little boy is a superhero when it comes to veg isn't he!