This recipe is the simplest I know. It’s not even a recipe. It’s only a simple vinaigrette poured over boiled or steamed leeks. But it is a delicious super quick dish which my family, including the 3 kids, consider as their favourite entrée and which is also a great Parisian café classic.
If you go to any traditional café or brasserie in Paris you’ll be able to order this favourite of mine. Of course you can make a super creative vinaigrette, add spices, add herbs but with the simplest dressing you’ll find this really delicious.
To present this recipe, I chose the super pretty plates made by hand by lovely potter Lavallier. I bought them at the Finders Keepers Markets in Sydney.
Because they grow in abundance in my garden and because I love them, I sprinkled a bit of lemon thyme and chives on the top.
There’re so many things you can “customise” in the recipe: the vinaigrette could be a sichuan dressing, you could change the type of mustard, vinegar or oil :)
The traditional way is to tie the leeks with kitchen twine but I just tip the leek in the pan and cover with boiling water, or simply steam them in my Magimix Cook Expert (internal steamer).
So this is the recipe:
- - 3 leeks or any number, according to how many guest you have (1 leek = 1 guest)
- - salt and pepper (freshly cracked)
- - red wine vinegar
- - tomato sauce (Ketchup)
- - Dijon or seeded mustard
- - olive oil
- - optional: fresh herbs such as lemon thyme and chives.
- Cut the tough part of the leeks and discard. I cut 15cm cylinders.
- Clean them by cutting a 3 cm cross at each section, and clean that part. There is nothing worse than crispy, soily leeks...
- Place the leek bits in a pot and cover with boiling water. Boil until soft. You can also steam them for 10 to 20 mins.
- Make the vinaigrette by putting all the ingredients in a glass (preserve such as Bonne Maman jam jar) and put the lid on. Shake well.
- Place 2 to 3 leek cylinder in each plate and pour vinaigrette on top.
- Sprinkle herbs if you like. Serve either cold or warm.
NOTE: this post is not sponsored
thankyou flo!
your photography is really great hun and I love your crockery finds at the market!
I would like this dish too! my grandmother came form England and she always used leeks!
I find they are sweeter and milder than other onions! … I must try growing some.
hope you are enjoying the summer holidays!
much love m:)X
Thank you dear Merilyn!
I looooove these plates, their colours are beautiful and the golden rim on something a tad bit wonky and handmade makes them super special. We didn’t succeed too well growing leeks in Sydney. Maybe we didn’t plant late enough or our soil is not good enough. They were tough and very tiny…
I’m enjoying a few days without Wendell and the kids, which is a godsend :) It’s not often in my life that I’ve been all by myself! It’s soooo relaxing!
x
Flo
how wonderful for you flo enjoy your respite lovely one!
much love m:)X
Thank you Merilyn!!!