How one can Lower Leeks | Clear Inexperienced Easy

Learn to lower leeks, together with ideas for getting, washing, and utilizing them. Add these versatile greens to soups, quiche, and your favourite recipes for depth and taste.

Leeks on a cutting board cut three ways — Photograph: Kirsten Nunez

Able to develop your knife skills? Learn to lower leeks with our step-by-step information.

Leeks are associated to staple veggies like onions, garlic, and scallions. In comparison with onions, they’re sweeter and milder, however they can be utilized in the identical means.

However in case you’re new to cooking leeks, getting ready them generally is a bit intimidating. The big veggies virtually seem like outsized scallions!

This tutorial will clarify how to decide on, put together, lower, and wash leeks. You’ll solely be utilizing the sunshine inexperienced and white stem, because the leaves are too fibrous to eat. Nonetheless, it can save you the leaves to make homemade vegetable stock.

When you’ve discovered the way to lower leeks, use them in a Chunky Potato Leek Soup or Eggless Tofu Quiche.

Leek Choice and Storage

On the grocery store, leeks are sometimes bought individually or in bunches. When choosing leeks, make certain the white and light-weight inexperienced half is agency and recent. If it’s slimy and mushy, depart it behind.

At residence, retailer leeks within the fridge. It’s typically advisable to wrap leeks in plastic or place them in a plastic bag, as different meals can soak up their odor. Nonetheless, if you’d like a extra eco-friendly strategy, wrap the leeks in a moist (however clear) fabric or towel. When saved correctly, recent leeks will last as long as 2 weeks within the fridge, in keeping with Michigan State University.

Keep away from trimming or washing your leeks earlier than storing them, as it will velocity up degradation. Wait till you’re prepared to make use of them.

Three leeks on a bamboo cutting board with a chef's knife — Photograph: Kirsten Nunez

How one can Put together Leeks

Although you’ll be able to wash leeks proper earlier than reducing them, the leaves will be troublesome to wash. We suggest washing the leeks — and leaves, in case you plan to make use of them in broth — after reducing them.

To organize a leek, place it on a cutting board. Utilizing a chef’s knife, lower off the leaves, proper the place the sunshine inexperienced begins to darken. Lower off the underside stub, simply above the roots (or the place the roots as soon as the place). Discard the leaves and backside; you’ll solely be working with the center gentle inexperienced and white half.

A leek on a cutting board with a knife and each end cut off — Photograph: Kirsten Nunez

Completely different Methods to Lower Leeks

One of the best technique for reducing leeks relies on your desire and the way you propose to make use of them. Listed here are three strategies:

Rings

The primary lower is straightforward. After chopping off the leaves and backside, you’ll be able to lower the stem into rings. This selection is good for combined dishes, like stir-fries or salads.

Together with your non-dominant hand, place the leek on a reducing board. Utilizing your dominant hand, lower throughout the width of the leek. The tip of your knife ought to create a 90-degree angle with the stem.

A knife cutting leeks into rings on cutting board — Photograph: Kirsten Nunez

Sticks

The second lower makes “sticks.” This selection is ideal for spring rolls, in addition to combined dishes.

Lower the stem in half, width smart. Subsequent, lower every half lengthwise, in order that the knife traces up with the piece of leek. Every half may have a flat backside.

Woman's hand cutting a leek lengthwise on a cutting board

Place the flat backside on the reducing board. Together with your non-dominant hand, press down on the leek to maintain it in place. Place the knife alongside the size of the leek, then lower it into sticks. The sticks will be as thick or skinny as you’d like.

Chopped Up

Lastly, the third technique entails chopping leeks. This lets the layers come aside, making them good for tossing into salads, soups, or different combined dishes.

Lower the stem in half, width smart. This creates two items. Lower every bit in half, lengthwise, lining up the knife with the leek. Every half may have a flat aspect.

Woman's hand cutting a leek in half lengthwise

Place the flat aspect of every leek on the reducing board. Place your knife throughout the leek, width smart, and roughly chop.

A woman's hand chopping up a leek on a cutting board

How one can Wash Leeks

After reducing leeks, switch them to a strainer. Wash the lower leeks underneath operating water, shaking the items together with your fingers to take away particles and filth. Pressure effectively. Your leeks at the moment are prepared for cooking!

Leeks rinsing in water in a green strainer — Photograph: Kirsten Nunez

Often Requested Questions

Can I retailer lower leeks?
Sure, however as soon as washed and lower, it’s finest to make use of leeks rapidly. Lower leeks will final within the fridge for about 2 days.

Can I freeze leeks?
Freezing leeks is just not advisable. It’ll make them mushy and pungent.

How one can Use Leeks

Place the leek on a reducing board. Utilizing a big chef’s knife, lower off the leaves, proper the place the sunshine inexperienced begins to darken.
Lower off the underside stub, simply above the roots. Discard the leaves and backside; you’ll solely be working with the center gentle inexperienced and white half.
Utilizing the information above, lower to your most well-liked form and measurement.
Place the lower leeks in a strainer. Wash underneath operating water, shaking the leeks together with your fingers to take away particles.

Although you’ll be able to wash leeks earlier than reducing them, the leaves will be troublesome to wash. We suggest washing the leeks — and leaves, in case you plan to make use of them broth — after reducing them.
Use the powerful leaves and backside for vegetable inventory.
Retailer lower leeks within the fridge, coated, for as much as 2 days.

Chopping Board

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