Leeks & Black Eyed Peas

Leeks & Black Eyed Peas

Another week off from picking new veggies, another weekend to go grocery shopping at leisure and find things I haven't tried before. The honor of being Vegetable #8 for New Year Resolution #2 goes to Leeks. 

Here's a vegetable that is much ignored and often mistaken for its cousin, the Onion. One of the most popular uses for this lovely mild flavored vegetable is for adding flavor to vegetable stock. Leeks have a very mild onion taste and are mildly fragrant like the onion as well.  I first read about Leeks several years ago in the book "French Women Don't Get Fat" where Mireille Guiliano raved about the benefits of detox'ing with leek soup over a weekend. Two pounds of leeks are simmered with ample quantities of water and that is all that is consumed for the entire weekend. I must admit that I read the book several years ago and have still not given into the lure of the magical leek soup.  However, the lovely leek did make it to the top of my "New Veggie list" this morning when I saw the store clerk stacking fresh leeks in the produce aisle.   

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes depending upon the black-eyed peas.

Ingredients: 

1. 2-3 thick leeks
2. 12 oz pack of frozen black eyes peas.
3. 1 can (14-16 oz) No-Sodium Vegetable broth
4. Salt & Freshly ground pepper, to taste. 

Directions: 

In a stock pot, add black eyed peas and three quarters of the vegetable broth and simmer on medium for 15 minutes, or until tender.  Wash leeks, trim off the tough dark green parts, remove the outermost leaves from each bulb, cut each in half and julienne. Transfer to a deep bowl, fill with water and rinse well to get rid of any grit, drain and let stand for a few minutes to drain completely. When black eyed peas are done, in a separate stock pot, add remaining vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and add leeks. Cook gently until leeks are nicely fragrant and translucent. Add salt to taste and mix well. Then add the cooked black eyed peas. Cook for a couple minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Add freshly ground black pepper and enjoy!!  

My Assessment: I LOVE LEEKS!!! This recipe was so simple. All it has in terms of seasoning is salt and black pepper. Black eyed peas have such a nutty, earthy flavor and a buttery texture. The mild flavoring of leeks enhanced that flavor. I also liked the little bit of crunch added by the barely cooked leeks. I ate these tonight with steamed brown rice which really enhanced the nutty flavor of the black eyed peas.

This is most definitely a recipe that will be repeated in the near future!!