"leek" news and stories

Can you not almost smell the buttery aroma of these sauteed leeks wafting through the kitchen?

This garlic- and onion-related vegetable happens to be, admittedly, a personal discovery that's relatively recent, but one whose potent yet subtle flavor has wowed. Not only is the smell alone lust-worthy, but the silky ingredient is equally desired for its texture as well as its flavor. And even others have praised the vegetable for powers beyond its flavor alone -- according to records, Nero was under the impression that leeks improved his singing voice and, consequently, he consumed the scallion-esque vegetable quite ravenously on a daily basis.

What do you use your leeks in? Spill your suggestions after the jump!

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Now that it is officially fall, I declare open season of soup (no matter that it is still a balmy 80 degrees during the day here in Philly). I see bowls of vivid orange squash soups in my future. Vats of chicken noodle and beef barley. And buckets of potato leek soup. It's the potato leek that I'm currently obsessed with, ever since I saw Jennie's post on the Roasted Rosemary Potato Leek soup she whipped up over the weekend. Roasting the potatoes before simmering and blending is an inspired idea (and I'm sort of sad I didn't think of it first). But no matter, the idea is out there now and it's deliciousness must be captured and consumed.

Her recipe is after the jump, but please go over and check out her site, as she posted of the soup from start to finish and they are tantalizing.

One of the best things about my Inner Richmond San Francisco nabe is its proximity to the real Chinatown in the city. Not the touristic place where dollar store owners hawk fake jade and shot glasses to tourists, but the bustling, neighborhoody area where Chinese and non-Chinese alike do their shopping.

One of my favorite establishments in the Inner Richmond is Wing Lee Bakery on Clement and 5th. Not a bakery like you are thinking (although they do offer up sweet treats), "bakery" is the traditional name for shops that sell dim sum, too. The best thing about Wing Lee is that they serve fresh dim sum and other savory tasties for cheap. An order (3 pieces) will cost you no more than $1.30, and if you just want a bite, they also sell their dim sum by the piece.

Today I shoved $5 in my pocket and headed off in search of lunch. I selected coriander dumplings, both boiled and pan-fried leek dumplings (my fave), pork siu mai, a spring roll and a couple of baked char siu bao (pork buns). Then I took it all home, brewed some chrysanthemum tea, and my daughters and I had a feast for lunch.

[Photo Stefania Butler]