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Leeks Vinaigrette

Published: Mar 15, 2016 · Modified: Mar 15, 2016 by Michael Ruhlman · 9 Comments

Leeks-and-Viniagrette

A perfect spring dish leeks and vinaigrette. Photo by Donna Turner Ruhlman.

 

This is one of my favorite bistro staples, which I feature in Ruhlman's Twenty.

The recipe uses a classic red wine vinaigrette. Pairing it with a member of the onion family, abundant shallots, results in a great bistro dish, the preparation showcases the power of red wine vinaigrette to illuminate cooked cold vegetables. The quality of the vinegar is critical, so its worth buying a good one. The vinaigrette can also be made with a good Spanish sherry vinegar.

 

Leeks Vinaigrette

Serves 4

  • 4 large leeks or 8 small leeks
  • ¼ cup/60 milliliters red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup/180 milliliters canola oil
  • ¼ cup/170 grams minced shallots
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, yolks and whites finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sliced fresh chives
  1. Trim the roots from each leek but leave the root end intact. Cut off the dark tops so that you have only white and pale green parts (save the tops for stock). Cut the leeks in half lengthwise, being careful not to cut through the root ends. Wash the leeks thoroughly under cold water, checking for dirt between the layers of leaves.
  2. Bring a pot of water with a steamer insert to a boil. Cook the leeks until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. (They can also be boiled if you don't have a steamer.) Remove the insert from the pot and run the leeks under cold water to cool them, then put them on a plate lined with paper towels/absorbent paper to drain. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve them.
  3. Put the vinegar, mustard, and honey in a blender. Add a two-finger pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. With the blender running, pour in the oil in a steady stream. Transfer the vinaigrette to a glass measuring cup. About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the shallots.
  4. Cut the root end off each leek. Arrange the leeks on plates and spoon the vinaigrette over the leeks. Garnish each plate with chopped egg white, followed by the chopped egg yolk and chives.

If you liked this post, you might be interested in these links:

  • My past posts on Corned Beef, Hawaii, and Steak Florentine.
  • Leeks, shallots, scallions and ramps are all related, but what are their differences?
  • Learn how to clean a leek.
  • Have a lot of leeks, Martha Stewart has a few recipes you can try out.

© 2016 Michael Ruhlman. Photo © 2016 Donna Turner Ruhlman. All rights reserved.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bruce

    March 15, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I don't know about the honey. Once upon a time in the Loire Valley I was watching a French cook make a viniagrette with the vinegar, shallots, dijon, and oil. I meekly suggested un peu sucre? She replied "SUCRE!!??!!". I thought she was going to stab me.

    Reply
    • ruhlman

      March 20, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      funny!

      Reply
  2. Jen

    March 16, 2016 at 5:27 am

    Can you recommend a good red wine vinegar?

    Reply
    • ruhlman

      March 20, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      depends where you live and what's available, because nothing that's mass produced. Greenhouse Tavern vinegar if available. Otherwise ask store manager.

      Reply
  3. low carb recipes

    March 21, 2016 at 9:29 am

    Is the honey to bring out the salt/savory more?

    Reply
  4. KathyP

    March 23, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    I'm feeding a vegan next week. If I leave out the hard boiled eggs, can you recommend a substitute? Thanks.

    Reply
  5. Arie Litman

    March 27, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    Made it for today's dinner.. I used "Pomegranate Beer" vinegar that a brewer friend made.. So good!
    Thank you!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Shrimp & Grits | Michael Ruhlman says:
    March 23, 2016 at 10:16 am

    […] past posts on Leeks Vinaigrette, Corned Beef, […]

    Reply
  2. Poached Beef Tenderloin | Michael Ruhlman says:
    March 30, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    […] past posts on Shrimp & Grits, Leeks Vinaigrette, and Corned […]

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