(well, and a couple more lovely things…)
This is a surprising and delicate salad, which also proves to be entirely addictive. Maybe it’s the combination of textures or the addictive crunch of the apple slices against the suppleness of the leeks.
Crab apples are tart and sweet at the same time, and have a great bite, making a perfectly satisfying winter salad.
You’ll need:
- 3-4 large leeks, trimmed
- 5-6 crab apples, sliced
- 2 cups of arugula
- 5 thin slices of ricotta salata
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 T butter
- dried thyme
- bay leaf
- salt, pepper
- olive oil
- apple quintessence (a treat from Quebec; you can substitute cider concentrate or a nice, sweeter apple cider vinegar)
1. Braise the leeks: in a deep saucepan, melt a tablespoon of butter with some bay leaf and dried thyme. Add the leeks (trimmed to just the whites and the very) light green parts) and the stock. Season. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Scoop out of the stock with a slotted spoon, slice in half and cool before serving.
*Use the enriched stock for other dishes.
2. Now you are ready to assemble the salad: layer arugula, apple slices, and ricotta next to the leeks on a platter.
Add fresh ground black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and apple quintessence, if using.
Oh crab apples! This looks great!
I love them! They are such a sweet little treat.
this looks fab .. I will be sorry when leek month is over.. c
Thanks, C! I’ll be sorry too. Leeks are so underrated!
Looks amazing although it is simple 🙂 Shows that simplicity is simply the best ingredient 😉
I completely agree! And thank you.
Ooh, what a great fresh salad in the middle of this cold weather!
Thanks! We really enjoyed it.
I’ve got an entire patch of leeks in my garden – they’ll last through January (if they, you know, last). I don’t think I’ve ever had crab apples before. I’ll have to check them out. 🙂
haha enjoy your leeks! This is the last of ‘leek month’s recipes.
Oooh, apples in there sounds very interesting! this is on my to-do-list!
They are a wonderful surprise in this salad, enjoy!