Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Leek Confit ~ With Thyme

My "date night" plans went "ka-poot."  Right out the window on Friday night.  Our date was planned for Saturday, but Hubby was called to work a 12 hour shift.

By the time he would be home, it would be way too late for this gal to go out, and way too cold, so I took to the kitchen.

We needed some extra heat in the house anyway.  The warmest hour was about feeling like 0°F.


  

I've wanted to plant leeks for the last two years, but failed to get the seeds ordered in time.  This year I am on task with this job.  Leeks are very high in vitamin A, and easy to add to dishes in the form of a confit (fancy term to describe pre-cooked and ready to go, flavored with an herb).

I have one last seed order to place (herbs).  Phew.  Now, Mother Nature just needs to behave this year and provide an awesome bounty. 

Back to the confit.


I located a new recipe (ha!), which not only uses leeks but thyme as well.    If you google "leek confit" you will find many recipes for it.  

I chose a recipe in which you roast the leeks in the oven versus the stove top.  I used a sprig of thyme (fresh) also, which unless you have a pot of it in your kitchen during winter, is difficult to find.

Some recipes called for olive oil.  I chose both olive oil and butter.
 
It is put into a jar and then into the refrigerator.   It won't last long in our house.  My four leeks filled about one pint jar when they were finally cooled.

I will also freeze some leeks to add to my freezer.  You can blanch and freeze them as well.  I may even dehydrate some.  A jar of ground leeks would come in handy, and honestly sounds good.  The possibilities are endless.

As for the confit, we can stir this into eggs, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and pastas.   I bet it would be good on a burger too.  I am going to try it on homemade pizza as well.  I wonder how it would taste mixed in green beans or even peas?  

 

 

10 comments:

Kim said...

Well I learned something today. Never heard of confit before. Thanks for the education!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Kim, it's kind of a fancy term for "garnish"

Liz said...

Thats how our date night went too! Oh well! lol.. Can't wait to see how your leeks do in the garden. This recipe looks good. I had a recipe similar with scalloped potatoes. Sadly leeks are hit and miss in the stores around here. Stay warm!!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Liz, they are hit and miss here too. Today I woke up feeling sickly, so I'm sipping medicinal teas for now. I need to teach the family how to make homemade ginger ale. I never feel up to the work when I am sick and want it.

Mama Pea said...

Oh, I think you leek confit would be wonderful with any cooked vegetable! What a lovely way to "fancy up" any dish. You're so darn creative!

Sorry your date night got cancelled. Your hubby really puts in a lot of hours of overtime, doesn't he? Good in the way of bringing in more salary, but not so good in having enough time at home and with you. Pffft!

Hope your sick-i-ness goes away quickly.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, I had to make some homemade ginger-ale yesterday. Almost all of us were feeling a bit off. Today, it's the same. I will gargle with salt water and rub tea tree oil mix on my feet. Hopefully, tomorrow will be much better.

RB said...

This is very good to know. I'm going to try it. Because of an allergy, leeks are about the only onion product I can eat, and only then, in very small quantities. Problem I've been having is, I get a bunch of leeks which is usually 3 or 4, and because I only use small amounts at a time, some go bad before I can use them all. This will help avoid the spoilage. Yayyy!!!
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, glad this will help. I found this idea via searching for something else. So funny.

Susan said...

I love leeks and am going to try growing them this year, too. I find it hard, locally, to find organic leeks and the farmers markets are long gone. I freeze them when I find them, but have never heard of leek comfit - it's on my list to try!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Susan, I love leeks in a scalloped potato dish too. Our markets do not sell leeks at all. I have to search organic sections of grocers here.