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Zeytinyağlı pırasa
Istanbul-style leeks braised with carrot and rice in olive oil and lemon
Winter in Istanbul brings fat leeks to every neighbourhood market, and zeytinyağlı pırasa is how many households use them: chunks of leek and carrot stewed gently in olive oil with a handful of rice to thicken the juices, finished with lemon. It is served at room temperature on the side of a winter table, or as a light lunch with bread and white cheese, and grandmothers often say it is better the second day. The usual mistake is skipping a proper wash: grit hides between the layers and ruins the whole pot. Chef's tip: cut the leeks on a slant into thick pieces and keep them whole rather than separating the rings, so they hold their shape through the slow braise.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Soak the cut 3 leeks in a big bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, swishing them about, then lift them out so the grit stays at the bottom. Repeat if the water looks sandy.
5 minStep 2: Warm ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil in a wide pan over a medium-low heat. Add 1 onion and 1 carrot and cook gently for 5 minutes, until the onion softens and the oil turns faintly orange from the carrot.
5 minStep 3: Add the leeks and turn them in the oil for 3–4 minutes over a medium heat, until they look glossy and start to soften at the edges.
4 minStep 4: Scatter over 2 tbsp short-grain rice, 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt, then pour in 1 cup hot water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook over a low heat for 20 minutes, until the leeks are soft enough to cut with a spoon and the rice is tender and has thickened the juices.
20 minStep 5: Take off the heat, stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice gently and leave to cool, covered. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does zeytinyağlı pırasa take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of leeks?
- 1 onion per leek.
- What can I use instead of carrot?
- Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
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