So the leeks are starting to run to seed and we still have a few in the beds that had them in.
So I'm keen to make sure we don't waste too many!
One thing I've been doing is to use them like I would use onions. So the other night I put on a batch of spag bol, and used leeks and some immature elephant garlic that had self set come up from missed bulbs in the garden. These are milder than normal garlic but let me tell you - my eyes still watered.
Made a great tea and a serious amount of goodness in there!
What's you're favourite garden substitution? Do you swap much stuff out for what you have to hand? We're always doing it and I have to admit to not always getting it right!
Hubby does the cooking and often no 2 recipes taste the same, he is always adding what we have, nothing is wasted.
ReplyDeleteSounds a good man! I like to use up what I can. Wife does make a face about some of my cobos though!
DeleteI hardly ever follow a recipe(and even then only loosely) Always wish I had written it down when it comes out really well. However ingredients are always different in flavour ,so you always have to balance it out as you cook.
ReplyDeleteMagic isnt magic unless it works in the kitchen.
Kathy
Yeah, I'm terrible for that as well. My wife hates it when I've created something, often it's good but rarely do I recreate it.
DeleteLeek risotto (Nigel Slater's recipe is the one we first used) is one of our favourites - leeks, risotto rice, stock, a little wine and butter if you want it richer and some cheese. Yum!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
We used to have risotto all the time but fell out of practice as the kids didn't like it like we did. We really should start again! Thanks!
DeleteLove that you don't waste anything, we substitute veg all the time in recipes,it makes for some interesting flavours.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I think theres still plenty that gets wasted but we try to keep it to a minimum if we can.
DeleteGlamorgan Sausages are made with leeks, cheese & breadcrumbs and are delicious.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I've never tried them but someone else told me they were good. I bet the kids would like them as well.
DeleteTell me about your leeks, please. Do you leave them out in your garden over the winter? How do they tolerate freezing temps, etc. Leek is not common here. I have raised them, and do like them in soups. I'm eager to learn more about both how to grow them and how to use them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, they stay in all winter here and can take some good freezes as are pretty hardy. The variety I have here has leaves that go blue if it's a cold winter. Leeks were a really common vegetable of the past here in the UK and I suppose they've never stopped being popular. I just planted a bed of them yesterday in the garden. I can do a whole blog post on growing them if you like?
DeleteYes please, I live in Holland and buy them as seedlings (sad thing to do but) and they do ok. I also sow some myself but they never get to the pencil thickness to plant them out. Furthermore I would love to have them as winterveggie as well. Is that a special type of leek only and when do you plant those? Thanks. Wendy
DeleteHi Wendy! I'll do a post soon, but I never get mine to pencil thickness before planting out, nowhere near. More like a pencil lead in fact!
DeleteFurthermore a great recipe with leeks is this pasta dish. Braise some sliced mushrooms (250 gram champignons?), add sliced leeks till tender. plenty of pepper and not too much salt. Add crumbled blue cheese, creme fraiche and a tin of pears cut to pieces (!). Serve with pasta of choice. Sounds odd but is a great dish.
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like it would work! I'd have to change out the creme fraiche as can't have milk or cream but sure I could get it to work. I quite like fruit with savoury things. One of our favourite curries is peach and chickpea!
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