Welcome to the delectable world of leeks and tarragon in a Dijon vinaigrette, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic French dish combines the earthy sweetness of leeks with the aromatic freshness of tarragon, all harmoniously bound together by a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to impress your guests, this article will guide you through the steps of creating this culinary masterpiece. We'll explore the essential ingredients, provide step-by-step instructions, and offer tips for achieving the perfect balance of flavors. So, let's embark on a culinary journey as we discover the secrets of leeks and tarragon in Dijon vinaigrette.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
LEEKS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Game Plan: Make the vinaigrette while the leeks cook.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Trim the root end of the leeks, leaving enough to hold the leaves together, and halve lengthwise. Rinse very well under running water to flush out any grit trapped between the leaves. Add the leeks to the boiling water and cook until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the leeks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pat dry and lay them on a serving platter.
- Meanwhile, whisk the vinegar, mustard, water, and the 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing. Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over leeks, turn them to coat, and scatter the parsley and the tarragon, if using, over the top. Serve immediately or up to 2 hours later at room temperature.
GRILLED LEEKS WITH TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- In a bowl or jar, combine the vinegar, mustard and some salt and pepper. Whisk to combine, and then slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking. Set aside.
- Trim the roots off the leeks, leaving some of the root end intact so the leeks hold together. Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse very well--they are usually pretty sandy and dirty.
- Add about 1 inch of water to a large pot over medium-high heat. Insert a steamer basket and set the leeks into the steamer. Cover and cook until softened and tender when the white end is pierced with a paring knife, about 5 minutes. Remove the leeks from the steamer, pat dry and transfer to a shallow dish. Brush with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat a grill pan or grill to medium-high heat. Add the leeks, cut-side down, and cook until grill marks form, about 3 minutes. Flip and repeat. Remove to a serving platter, drizzle over some of the vinaigrette and sprinkle with the hazelnuts.
LEEKS AND TARRAGON IN DIJON VINAIGRETTE
Topped with warm walnuts, this side dish pairs perfectly with poultry and potatoes!
Provided by Emily Ott
Categories Vegetable Side Dishes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place walnuts on a baking sheet.
- Trim ends of leeks around 1 to 2 inches from dark green tops and cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds; rinse.
- Place leeks into a large pot of lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toast walnuts in the preheated oven, tossing halfway through, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes; coarsely chop. Toss in a bowl with oil and salt. Drain leeks.
- Whisk vinegar, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, and garlic together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place leeks on a platter and drizzle on vinaigrette, toasted walnuts, tarragon, and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.8 calories, Carbohydrate 26.4 g, Fat 32.2 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 282.7 mg, Sugar 6.4 g
LEEKS IN VINAIGRETTE WITH WALNUTS AND TARRAGON
Cutting the leeks into rounds is an update on the classic presentation-and makes them easier to serve to a crowd.
Provided by Andy Baraghani
Categories Bon Appétit Thanksgiving Side Leek Walnut Mustard Vegetarian Vegan Wheat/Gluten-Free Tarragon
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with oil; season with salt.
- Trim root ends of leeks and 1" from the dark green tops. Cut leeks into 1/2"-thick rounds (the dark green parts won't be rounds, but that's okay). Rinse well.
- Cook leeks in a large pot of boiling salted water until meltingly tender, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry.
- Whisk garlic, vinegar, and Dijon and whole grain mustards in a small bowl; season vinaigrette with salt.
- Arrange leeks on a platter; drizzle with vinaigrette and let sit at least 10 minutes (the longer, the better).
- Just before serving, scatter walnut mixture over leeks and top with tarragon and lots of pepper.
- Do Ahead
- Leeks (without walnut mixture and tarragon) can be marinated 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
FRENCH BRAISED LEEKS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- Cut the root end off the leeks, as well as the dark green stem end, leaving just the white and light green portion. Split them lengthwise and remove the outer two layers. Wash thoroughly under running water, being careful to rinse between layers to remove any grit. Shake off the excess water.
- Rub the bottom of a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with the softened butter, then lay the leeks, cut side down, in the pan. They should fit snugly in one layer across the pan. Pour the wine and Chicken Stock over the leeks, sprinkle with salt and a little pepper, then cover with waxed paper or parchment (which will keep the tops of the leeks moist), and bring the liquid to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. Use a small spatula or tongs to turn the leeks once, halfway through the cooking process. When cooked, the leeks should be completely tender and not stringy. Turn them over once more, so the outer layers are facing up. To test doneness, I usually just peel off one or two outer layers, the last to get cooked, and sample them (if they are the least bit tough, cook for another 5 minutes).
- Remove pan from the heat and cool. If there are more than 2 tablespoons of juices left in the pan, remove the leeks to a serving platter and reduce the juices to 2 tablespoons. Reserve juices for the Dijon vinaigrette.
- Pour the dressing over the leeks and let sit for at least 10 minutes. These leeks are wonderful served warm or cold, but I like them best at room temperature.
- Dijon Vinaigrette
- Whisk together the shallot, mustard, vinegar, and pan juices in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
Tips:
- Choose fresh and tender leeks: Look for leeks with bright green leaves and firm, white stalks. Avoid leeks that are wilted or have yellowing leaves.
- Clean the leeks thoroughly: Leeks can be quite dirty, so it's important to clean them thoroughly before using them. Cut off the root end and the dark green leaves. Then, slice the leek in half lengthwise and rinse it under cold water to remove any dirt or grit.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the leeks: A sharp knife will help you to get clean, even slices of leek. This is important for ensuring that the leeks cook evenly.
- Don't overcook the leeks: Leeks are best when they are cooked until they are tender but still have a little bit of bite to them. Overcooked leeks will become mushy and lose their flavor.
- Use a good quality Dijon vinaigrette: The Dijon vinaigrette is what really makes this dish special. Be sure to use a good quality Dijon mustard and olive oil. You can also add other herbs and spices to the vinaigrette to taste.
Conclusion:
This leek and tarragon salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you're looking for a healthy and flavorful side dish, give this leek and tarragon salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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