lovely leeks.

celebrate seasonal veg

The 1st of March is St Davids day, other saints days are often overlooked because they don’t centre so much on alcohol. Well maybe you would favour a ‘pint o the black stuff’ over a leek. Lets celebrate all our saints days with a good supper and a drink, there’s four a year and its a great excuse to get friends round the table to celebrate the diverse culture of the Isles. Leeks are in season at the moment, they are abundant and cheap in the grocers of Southsea and on the market.

In the local fruit and veg shop they have lovely local leeks in stock, picked just over Portsdown hill, their huge too so plenty to go round. Make sure they get a good wash because they are pretty muddy!

I found this recipe on Good Food, I’m a huge fan of risotto anyway as it has endless possibilities and you can interchange ingredients for whats in season. It’s also cheap to make and really warming, comforting and yummy.

Leek and parmesan risotto.

• 25g butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 spring onions , trimmed and finely chopped
• 2 leeks , trimmed and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 150g arborio rice
• 1 glass white wine
• 750ml vegetable or chicken stock
• 25g parmesan , finely grated

1. Bring the stock to a simmer. Heat a large wide pan and add half the butter and the olive oil. Add the spring onions, leeks and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the rice and stir to coat then tip in the wine and bubble until reduced. Add the stock a little at a time, stirring until the rice is tender with a little bite and oozy.
2. Stir in the parmesan and the rest of butter and season.

Serves 2, ready in 30 mins.

(this dish is great as a veggie option and GF diets)