Leek and ground beef risotto, a quick, one-pan dish to get all your basics in: protein, carbs and fat.
Leeks are a strange creature. They're the onion's forgotten cousin, and in taste this is mildly reminiscent. They don't deviate from the onion family in looks either, as they're a more robust version of scallions. Unlike the scallions which I find the best in their most colorful and completely fresh variant, leeks taste best when prepared.
However, we won't be doing a leek soup recipe.
I cannot think of an appetizing way to combine these two terms in real life, and you're aware of my fondness for soups. The first time I read about the leek soup was during the French craze in the US some fifteen years ago. It was a recipe recommended to American women by a French woman in a book about thinness. The recipe escapes me, but it called for hard boiled eggs and leaks, and the first time I made it this soup did a number on my digestive system. After, I didn't dare touch leeks for years.
When I did eat it, it was in a leek and ground beef risotto that we'll be making today. It's a lighthearted way to have you try something you probably didn't pay enough attention to before. It's with enough rice, and ground beef as to not be the dish's main attraction.
And just as you forget that this is essentially a leek recipe, it will surprise you by appearing in a very light, but not easily forgettable form.
Here are a few more leek gems I found around. And if you're more of a risotto person, here is an idea.
Leek and Ground Beef Risotto
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion medium, minced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 14 ounces ground beef
- 1 to mato skinned and diced
- 2 leeks sliced into rounds
- ½ cup rice round grain
- 1 bouillon cube or 2 tablespoons Vegeta
- Ground pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon red paprika
- 3 tablespoons parsley minced
Instructions
- In a larger pot heat butter over medium. Add onion and garlic and simmer 2 minutes.
- Add meat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and leeks and simmer another 10 minutes.
- Add rice, seasonings, and 1 cup of water and continue simmering. Simmer about 40 minutes, adding a total of 3.5 to 4 cups of water throughout cooking.
- Garnish with parsley.
Ejla says
Making this tonight, pretty excited.
Aida says
Did you like it?
Ejla Foco says
This was a hit! Making again tonight. 🙂
Aida says
Nice! Glad you liked it. 🙂
Dawn Conklin says
I have never cooked with leeks before, but I am sure I have had them in something at some point. Glad you decided to eat leeks again and share this, it looks delicious 🙂
It's funny how something can turn us away from a food for so long. For me it was veal. I got really sick one night as a kid and we had veal for dinner that night. It took me years to try it again - and I still barely eat it!
Aida says
Dawn, this risotto is really a great way to do leeks as they don't overpower the dish.
I know what you mean about food aversions. I had the same thing with milk, and cannot stand it to this day.
Martin says
Very tasty
Simple to make
Will definitely go on repeat list
Aida says
Thanks Martin, glad you like.
Maddie says
This was such a comforting dish to come across. Thanks for sharing!
Aida says
Anytime. Glad you like it Maddie!
Carolyn Haas says
Yummy! I made half of the recipe for two of us and it was perfect. Used hot Hungarian paprika and that gave a nice little kick!
Aida says
Nice! We love Hungarian paprika too, it's the best. Thanks for letting us know recipe worked when halved, it'll be helpful to other readers.
Jasna says
Thank you for the very yummy recipe. I never liked leek before I made this recipe. My granddaughter (3 years ) loves this. I need to make always for her
Aida says
Aw Jasna, thanks for letting us know! Kisses for the little one.