Saturday, May 9, 2015

Spring Leeks with a Fishy Twist


Even in deepest winter it is a pleasure to visit Provence's beautiful farmer's markets but now that nature empties its horn of plenty full of fresh spring produce on all those stalls I can hardly contain my excitement. Today's bounty was white asparagus, skinny sweet leeks, the first fat, juicy bulbs of pink garlic, some basil and a huge bunch flat leaf parsley.
So tonight's dinner will be the asparagus. Steamed and served with a little Sauce Hollandaise, new potatoes and a slice of cooked ham. This is the traditional way white asparagus is served in Germany where they know a thing or two about this noble vegetable what with all those acres and acres of asparagus fields that you find all over the country.
After peeling the asparagus (that is the downside if you eat the white instead of the green) I tackled the leeks - just topped and tailed them, washed them thoroughly (they love to hide lots of sand) and very gently poached them for about 5 minutes in some vegetable stock.
Now you have to dry them real well - paper towels are good for this. Then I just melted about 50 g butter and three anchovy fillets, finely chopped up a handful of basil and parsley leaves, added a few generous turns of the peppermill and the juice of half a lemon. Stir all ingredients together and pour over the still warm leeks. Eat toute de suite with a slice of baguette or, if left for later, warm up for about 15 seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a hot oven. Très, très bon!

7 comments:

  1. spargel, spargel everywhere. i always loved the huge asparagus menus at the restaurants.

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    1. I really liked those menus, too - but in the end I always chose the classic version.

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  2. I want to eat at your house. Love this type of food.

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    1. Susan, come to Provence again and you are invited.

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  3. Beautiful presentation of these lovely spring leeks! Dein Spargel hat bestimmt auch wahnsinnig lecker geschmeckt - zur Zeit essen wir jeden Tag Spargel und genießen die Saison!
    Freue mich auf deine nächsten Frühlings-Kreationen - liebe Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende,
    Andrea

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  4. YUM, sounds like dinner to me!

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