The leek is associated with the Welsh Saint David. During the Middle Ages when Saint David was alive the leek was seen as a healthy and virtuous plant. Extraordinary qualities were claimed for it. It was the original health food, high in fibre, good for purging the blood, keeping colds at bay and healing wounds.
Why not celebrate the leek by trying this recipe…
Serves: 4
You’ll need:
- 1.5kg live mussels
- Olive oil, to fry
- 1 British leek, tough outer leaves removed, washed and finely sliced
- 1 garlic clove, finely diced
- 100ml medium cider
- 100ml single cream
- Parsley
- Crusty bread
What next?
- Wash the mussels and discard any that are broken and do not close when tapped.
- Put a splash of olive oil in a frying pan and cook the leeks on a medium heat with the garlic and cook until tender, take out and reserve. In the same pan turn the heat up high and heat up the pan until red hot.
- Put the mussels in with the cider, put the lid on and cook until the shells have opened. Take the mussels out using a colander making sure you catch the cooking liquor.
- Add the leeks and cream to the cooking liquor and pour over the mussels. Serve sprinkled with roughly chopped parsley and crusty bread.
For more recipes visit: britishleeks.co.uk
