Leeks and spinach what do you do with them?

[sharond101]

Asked DH what his favourite vegetable was today and he told me leeks except I have only ever bought a leek to put into lentil soup which he doesn't eat so am a little confused where he gets his taste for them from. What do yo do with leeks as I have never used them outwith soup?

I fancy trying some spinach. Only ever used it in cannelloni with ricotta. How do you do yours?

i just chop leeks up and boil them.
lovely with a bit of butter and some black pepper on

chuck spinach in a risotto.

If I'm serving leeks as a veg, they are either steamed or sauteed, usually with a generous amount of butter. Otherwise, same as you, I use them as part of the base for soups, anything with mince in it (eg shepherds pie) and sometimes in a risotto. But DH's firm favourite is pancetta and leek cheesey pasta bake so we make that a lot.

Usually we have baby leaf spinach in a salad. Otherwise, because DH isn't a fan, we have it quite rarely, although I find that I can get away with chopping finely and adding to tomato sauces for pasta or to a lamb curry and he doesn't seem to have an issue with either of those.

Leeks in a cream sauce is lovely. A face here with roast gammon. They also go well in a stir fry. Don't do spinach here though yuk.

I would second leeks in a cream (or cheese) sauce. They're nice done in the microwave for about 5 mins with a bit of butter. I also add them finely chopped when making nut roast.
Spinach is lovely as a salad base, more interesting then lettuce! I add it to curries and pasta bakes.

I chop leeks and include them in my cauliflower/leek/broccoli/macaroni cheese. Leek and potato soup also goes down well here.

I adore spinach curries - either with paneer, lamb or chickpeas. Frozen spinach is really good to keep around because you can chuck a few pellets in whatever you want!

Baby spinach is lovely as a salad leaf with rocket, watercress and walnuts.

Chickpea and spinach curry
Spinach and lentil dhal
Throw spinach in most pasta dishes
leek and potato soup

Making chicken and leek pie for the dcs tea tonight.
Lovely when gently fried in butter, you can have them 'plain', also go vvv well with feta cheese in a quiche or just on top if some puff pastry.

Salmon/white fish and spinach in a butter sauce
Salmon/white fish and leeks in a lemon sauce

Creamed spinach with nutmeg and served with new potatoes and a quiche.

MMmm I love leeks.
My very favourite way to eat them is smothered with cheese sauce.
They are also delcious in a pasta sauce (leeks, smoked bacon, mushroom, double cream and cheese made into a sauce and poured generously over pasta is lush) or in a coq au vin (Nigella has a recipe in her 'express' book which is divine)
As for spinach - my lot like it best as a salad leaf

That's made me feel hungry now!

Leeks can also be used instead of onions in some cases.

My leeks for "best" are halved lengthways, then sliced; steamed; dressed in vinagrette (use some walnut oil for poshest result); sprinkled with lemon zest, minced garlic and parsley

Some great suggestions here. DH hates cheese or creamy sauces so the pasta ones are out but think he might like it sauteed with lurpak. Baby leaf spinach then for salads? If having spinach as an accompaniment veg would that be sauteed?

Another vote for leeks in a cream sauce (or a white sauce), with the addition of some nutmeg sprinkled over the top.

I'd do some kind of tart. You know, get some just roll puff pastry, sauté the leeks down, throw on the pastry ,add spinach, some grated Parmesan or similar strong cheese, oven cook for 20 mins...easy!...not sure how well spinach would live up to this...

Oh he doesn't like cheese...teach me not to read...