Description
Tangy Marinated Leeks with Mustard Dill Dressing—a fresh, elegant dish packed with zesty flavor and simple beauty.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Leeks
- 3 large leeks, trimmed, cleaned, and halved widthwise
- 1½ teaspoons coarse salt
- 1½ teaspoons whole peppercorns
- 1½ teaspoons mustard seeds
- For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar (apple cider or rice vinegar work well)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon or whole-grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped
- 1 small shallot, finely diced
- 1½ tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1½ teaspoons sugar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Leeks
- Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil.
- Add salt, peppercorns, and mustard seeds to the pot.
- Carefully lower the leeks into the water.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the leeks are very tender when pierced with a fork.
- Gently remove the leeks with tongs and transfer them to a plate to cool completely.
- Once cooled, pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare the Mustard Dill Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and mustard until emulsified.
- Stir in capers, shallot, dill, and sugar.
- Season with salt and black pepper, whisking again until smooth.
- Taste the dressing — if it’s too sharp, add a pinch more sugar; if it needs brightness, add a splash more vinegar.
- Assemble and Serve
- Slice each leek lengthwise and arrange on a serving platter or individual plates.
- Drizzle generously with the mustard dill dressing, making sure to coat each piece.
- Garnish with a little extra fresh dill for color and aroma.
- Serve immediately at room temperature, or chill for up to 2 days for deeper flavor.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- The flavors develop further after a day in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Vegetable Dish
- Method: Boiling and Dressing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg