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    You are here: Home / Cooking Times / a) 30 mins or less / Creamed Leeks

    Creamed Leeks

    24 May 2019 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Facebook63TweetPin2.8kYummly43Shares2.9k
    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy creamed leeks recipe is the perfect side dish for any roasted meat and a superb main meal choice for vegetarians.

    A square casserole dish full of green creamed leeks

    In addition, cooking with such a humble and healthy ingredient like leeks, you are bound to have an excellent result. There are many ways in which you can spin this tasty creamed leeks recipe.

    You can experiment and make creamed leeks and peas, or creamed leeks and cheese and much more. The best part is, you can also substitute the cream with either a low-fat alternative or non-dairy vegan element.

    Serve the creamed leeks hot, but you can also serve them cold as a side dish. Double up in portion size if you wish to enjoy them as a main course. Enjoy!

    creamed leeks – easy recipe

    Before you get into cooking these stellar creamed leeks, let me introduce leeks to you properly. I feel like this ingredient is often underrated.

    So, besides letting the ingredient shine in the creamed leeks recipe, check out some detailed information on leeks. I have a feeling you might be surprised by some facts.

    Leeks are known scientifically as Allium Ampeloprasum and belong to the garlic, onions, shallots, and scallion family.

    They look like large scallions with a very small bulb and a long white stalk of layers that turn into green, tightly wrapped, flat leaves.

    While the commercially grown leeks have a fragrant, yet sweet and subtle flavour, their wild counterparts have a stronger, more intense flavour. The flavour in leeks is concentrated in the lower leaf and bulb portion.

    They are available throughout the year and are in season from autumn through to early spring, when they are at their best.

    By the way, if you've got leftover leeks, use them in a tasty chicken and leek risotto for later! Or try this zucchini and leek soup.

    healthy creamed leeks

    Leeks contain many sulphur compounds. They also contain an impressive amount of polyphenols, including the flavonoid “kaempferol”.

    The sulphur found in leeks play an important role in supporting our body's antioxidant and detox systems and the formation of our connective tissue.

    An excellent source of vitamin K, leeks are packed with manganese, vitamin B6, copper, iron, folate and vitamin C. Leeks are also a good source of vitamin A, in the form of carotenoids, dietary fibre, magnesium, vitamin E, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids.

    The folate found in leeks is partly present in the bioactive form of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). The latter is the active form of vitamin B9 the human body can actually use, instead of a synthetic folate or folic acid.

    If you've bought too many leeks, you can reuse them in these delicious leek recipes:

    • chicken and leek risotto
    • vegan leek and potato soup
    • easy leek and potato soup
    • pork medallions with leek sauce 
    • chicken leek and pasta bake
    Ingredients to make creamed leeks

    history and origins

    Leeks have been cultivated since the time of the Ancient Egyptians. Dried specimens from ancient sites, as well as wall carvings and drawings, show that the leek was a part of the Egyptian diet from around the 2nd millennium BC.

    The leek was the favourite vegetable of Emperor Nero, who consumed it most often in soup. Nero got through so many that he gained the nickname “Porophagus” (leek eater).

    In fact, according to Pliny's "Historia Naturalis", Nero ate them prepared in oil, believing it would aid in maintaining the clarity of his voice.

    The Phoenicians are said to have been the first to bring leeks to Britain when trading tin with the Welsh where it soon became part of the staple diet.

    The British Isles elevated this simple garden-variety plant to a much higher status as the national symbol for Wales.

    Welsh national symbol

    In about AD 640, when the Saxons were fighting the Welsh, King Cadwallader told his Welsh soldiers to wear leeks as a badge to distinguish themselves from their blood-thirsty opponents.

    To this day, the Welsh still wear a leek or a representation of one in their hats. When in war, leeks were thought to have aided in victory.

    Wales' association with leeks was recorded by William Shakespeare, in his play Henry V.

    “Your majesty says very true: if your majesties is remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps; which, your majesty know, to this hour is an honourable badge of service; and I do believe your majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek up Saint Tavy’s day.”

    The French called it the "Asparagus of the Poor" until one of France's own, Chef Louis Diat, at New York's Ritz-Carlton Hotel at the turn of the century, created the famous dish based on a traditional recipe used by his mother and named it after his hometown, Vichy. Vichyssoise, a cold soup made of leeks and potatoes, is now a world celebrated classic dish.

    insect repellent

    The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent and the whole plant is said to repel insects and moles. Leeks are believed to be a diuretic and a blood building agent. Wild leeks have medicinal properties similar to that of wild onion.

    Raw leeks in a sauce pan

    how to prepare leeks for cooking

    To prepare leeks for cooking, cut off the tough roots at the base and any tips of the leaves that are browned or look unhealthy. I prefer to cut them lengthways and separate the leaves, then wash them individually.

    I don’t enjoy the possibility of eating sand; leek leaves can trap a lot of the stuff. Slice the leeks to your desired thickness. Generally, they are sliced across the grain for use in recipes.

    To enhance the flavour leeks are always sautéd in butter, even before adding them to soups and stews. Oil is added to the melting butter to stop the butter from burning.

    variations of creamed leeks

    There are so many variations you can make with this easy creamed leeks recipe! That's the beauty of cooking with such a versatile ingredient. Just check them out below!

    creamed leeks and cheese

    Leeks pair beautifully with any cheese you can think of. You can mix some blue cheese into this creamed leeks recipe, heating it just enough to melt the cheese into the cream.

    • Hard or soft blue cheeses work well with leeks especially Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Cambozola, Stilton and Dolce Latte.
    • Try using leeks in pies with potato and Roquefort cheese.
    • Crumble Feta or goat's cheese on top of the leeks when serving.
    • Fromage fort (strong cheese) is a similar concept to the English potted cheese.

    This recipe uses bits of hard cheese, soft cheese, blue cheese, garlic and white wine. However, use a smaller proportion of blue cheese than the other cheeses, otherwise it will overwhelm the other flavours.

    It may also be known as Trois Fromage, meaning three kinds of cheese. Also, you can never go wrong with your daily household cheeses, Cheddar and Gouda.

    creamed leeks and peas

    For a little bit of sweetness, you can sweeten up this creamed leeks recipe with peas. The best options include using fresh peas, but you can also use frozen.

    creamed leeks and cabbage

    For a more hearty or filling portion, you can also cut up some cabbage and toss it into the creamed leeks. You might have to add a bit more cream.

    creamed leeks and spinach

    This is possibly one of my favourite combinations. It's an excellent way to make these creamed leeks even healthier by adding some baby spinach. You can also use normal spinach. Leave some fresh for a topping as well.

    creamed leeks and bacon

    For those who like a bit of meat, I haven't forgotten about you. You can also slice up some bacon and toss it into the creamed leeks. Just inspire yourself with my broad beans recipe here.

    Cream being mixed into the leeks

    substituting the double cream

    For various reasons, you may need to substitute the double cream in this creamed leek recipe.

    The high-fat content of double cream makes it excellent for whipping and using in cooked dishes as it does not separate easily and tastes delicious.

    The flavour and texture of the creamed leek may be slightly different than you would get using heavy cream.

    A substitute must enhance the flavour of the dish and not clash with other ingredients so some experimentation may be required. None of these substitutes will whip like heavy cream.

    You can also use cream in these creamy recipes:

    • creamed cauliflower
    • creamed spinach

    Here are some cream alternatives you can use:

    1. Single Cream
    2. Milk & Butter
    3. Skimmed Milk
    4. Tofu & Soy Milk
    5. Cottage Cheese & Milk
    6. Chilled Evaporated Milk 
    7. Greek Yoghurt
    8. Low-fat Cream Cheese

    creamed leeks with white wine

    For a bit of zing, you can add a little bit of white wine for slight acidity. Use dry white wine. Add to your preferred taste. 

    herbs and spices to pair with leeks

    Leeks are relatives of onions and garlic, but they have a milder taste than either of them. Pair them with bay leaf, celery salt, dill, mustard, nutmeg, paprika, parsley, sage and thyme. 

    Looking for more side dish inspiration? Check out the recipes below:

    • roast marrow
    • parmentier potatoes
    • tobacco onions
    • rosemary potatoes
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    Creamed Leeks


    ★★★★★

    5 from 4 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 4 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Creamed leeks are very simple to prepare. This leek recipe entails frying the leeks in butter and oil and finishing it off with cream. An amazingly creamy leek side dish that complements almost any type of meal!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 leeks, washed
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) butter
    • 5ml (1 tsp) oil
    • 100ml (3 oz) double cream
    • Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    1. Cut the whole leeks into 1cm (½ inch) slices.
    2. Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the oil.
    3. When the butter starts sizzling, add the leeks and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the leeks have softened.
    4. Add the cream and let it bubble for 1 minute.
    5. Season to taste and serve immediately.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Side Dish
    • Method: Pan Fry
    • Cuisine: French

    Keywords: creamed leeks, leek recipes, creamy leek side dish

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    A plate of creamed leeks

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

      February 07, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Oh my gosh, those creamy leeks look like heaven! I've always loved leeks - so annoyed that I've gone off them since I've been pregnant. I very much hope I'll be able to eat them again soon as these look fantastic!!

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 13, 2017 at 1:41 pm

        I hope you will be eating them again soon Becca. And I'm sure you're gonna love them. They are indeed fantastic.

        Reply
    2. Carlos At Spoonabilities

      February 08, 2017 at 10:53 pm

      Thank you for the wonderful and valuable information about leeks. I love to use them in soup or in other dishes but never alone. Those creamy leeks looks so good.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 13, 2017 at 1:43 pm

        You are very welcome Carlos. And thank you for reading it thorough. Hope you will try it soon. Don't forget to let me know how it turns out.

        Reply
        • Karen Wolf

          September 21, 2021 at 1:38 am

          Can I use fat free half n half instead of cream to make it lower calorie?
          Thanks.

          Reply
          • Michelle Minnaar

            September 21, 2021 at 8:01 am

            Sure, Karen. It won't be as rich and slightly grainy but otherwise totally doable.

            Reply
    3. Camilla Hawkins

      February 10, 2017 at 11:15 am

      I love creamed leeks, it's something my mother in law always used to make as a side dish. Have never made them myself so thanks for the reminder:-)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • michelle

        February 13, 2017 at 1:44 pm

        You are always welcome Camilla. You should make this soon. Let me know how much you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    4. Thin Bowel Movements and Hemorrhoids

      August 08, 2019 at 12:03 am

      I love your creamed leeks and creamed spinach recipe

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Evan Garibaldi

      October 21, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Love leeks! I Could eat them all day!

      Reply
    6. Katie W.

      October 21, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      I never fancied leeks but this really does looks delicious

      Reply
    7. Carltie Min

      October 21, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      Oh yes please, GIMME SOME!

      Reply
    8. Frank Pincoti

      October 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      I have freshly pulled leeks from my garden, I am going to make this now!

      Reply
    9. Martin Ericson

      October 21, 2019 at 6:19 pm

      My gf loves leeks. this seems like even I can make it 🙂

      Reply
    10. Eva

      October 22, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      Excellent recipe!

      Reply
    11. Janice Pattie

      February 29, 2020 at 12:57 pm

      What a great idea. I don't think I've eaten leeks as a side dish, I always include them in another recipe. I'm definitely going to try this now.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    about michelle

    Welcome to my eclectic collection of recipes from all four corners of the world. I hope to inspire you to get into the kitchen and never eat a boring meal ever again. Want to know more?

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