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Last Updated on September 21 , 2023
It ’s a crazy cryin ’ shame that most leek - based recipes recommend to toss the tops . While the sought - after leek bulb is true more tender , did you cognise that leafy green leek circus tent are actually themost flavorful part ? Not to refer if you grow your own leeks at rest home like we do , the leek greens make up the volume of the harvest ! Now … why would we want to let all that tasty , nutrient - plenteous , bulky green goodness go to wasteland ? We don’t . So , make dry leek pulverisation instead !
How to Use Leek Greens
There are many howling ways to use leek greens : added to soup , sautés and roasts , or pan - fried into crispy number . you’re able to basically utilise them just like an onion ( as long as the tough leafy percentage are foreshorten thinly against the grain ) . Yet our personal favored direction to use leek viridity is to turn them into leek powder . In summation to make an awesome various seasoning gunpowder , it is a verycompact and efficient way to carry on leek commons – and exceedingly easy to do ! The result is a sweet , savory and herbaceous onion - like powder , ready to flavor soups , sauces , rice , pasta dishes , eggs , and more !
Keep study to learn how to make homemade leek powder using leek greens . I should advert that you may also make leek powder with just the whitebulb portionas well – or using a combination of both leek greens and the bulb ! The following instructions utilise to both parts . I am just strike you ’ve already put the bulb to good use of goods and services , like in a killer creamy potato leek soup(see our favorite vegan potato scallion soup recipe here ! )
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HOW TO MAKE LEEK POWDER
Supplies Needed
INSTRUCTIONS
1) Thoroughly Wash the Leek Greens
Since they ’re grown partially underground , leeksare notoriously sandy and dirty . When making leek pulverization using the upmost leek green only , it is somewhat easy to get them clean . Simply wash themunder piddle , and then set them apart on a unobjectionable towel or strainer to wick away spare wet .
However , if you ’re also using thebulb portionof the leek , take extra aid to cut it up and peel back the layer to remove concealed dirt in the nook and crevice .
To clean especially dirty leek , essay this trick : fill a large mix bowl with cool water , and toss the cut of meat leek moment into the bowl as you go . swosh them around ; the sand and dirt will square off to the bottom of the trough . Then , take up out the leeks with your hands ( leaving the dirty piss in the bottom undisturbed ) and channelise them into a colander for a final rinse . Also edit out away the tough bottom second that is attached to the roots .
2) Cut into Pieces
Cut the leek greens into spell . Since they ’re all travel to get ground up into smithereens ( uh , leek powder ) anyways , thesize and soma does n’t really weigh . Do what is prosperous for you , and what fits nicely on your dehydrator or oven tray . To make quick study of this job , I extremely evoke dilute the leek greens with cleankitchen pair of scissors ! At least that is what I do .
You ’ll notice that some portions of the leek fleeceable leaves are shaped like a V , or make a niggling collapsible shelter when placed case - down . They ’ll still dry out even if they are n’t laying altogether flat . However , I found the spare - tall pieces made slip my dehydrator trays on top of eachother tricky . Therefore , I ripped or turn off those ones lengthwise at their natural bend to make two smaller flat opus .
To prepare a leekbulbto dehydrate , cut it into slight slices ( no more than 1/4″ thick ) . The thin you go , the quicker they will dry . Furthermore , the more consistent the cuts , the more evenly they ’ll finish dry together .
As you go , lie down out the leek man on your food dehydrator tray ( or onto baking rag ) . you’re able to pack a enceinte amount on each tray ! The pieces can touch side to side , but check that they are n’t pile on top of each other . We need somespace for good air flowbetween them .
3) Dehydrate the Leeks
stretch up your nutrient dehydrator with the trays full of leeks , and turn that puppy on ! The temperature you utilize is up to you . We usually dry our leek on about120 ° F , or halfway between the “ herbs ” and “ vegetable ” setting . You could go even low to preserve the maximal nutritionary economic value , though it will take longer . Or , crank up the temperature for a faster drying time .
In the market for a dehydrator ? We ca n’t say enough wonderful thing aboutour Excalibur dehydrators – we now have two ! They ’re made in the USA , super effective , quiet , BPA - free , and also have stainless sword options , timers , and more . However , we got by preserving nutrient with a morebasic Nesco machinefor many year prior .
When dry scallion in the oven , choose thelowest temperature settingpossible in purchase order to avoid charring them . Spread out the disposed scallion in a thin level on a broil cooking pan covered with parchment paper and bake for several hours . Check them every so often , and agitate or rotate to promote even drying if needed .
Thetimeit conduct to to the full dry will vary . It depends on your individual dehydrator or oven , the thickness of the leeks , and the temperature you use . In an oven or very efficient dehydrator , it may take just a few hours . On the other hand , they may slowly dry over a brace of days .
The final texture is more important than an exact time ! The leeks are done when they ’re 100 % dry . They will contract significantly and should easily crumble in your hand . Or when bent , they shouldsnap and crack crisplyin one-half . If they ’re still bendy or easygoing instead of crunchy , keep on drying . If too much moisture is left , your leek powder will cluster up ( or potentially spoil ) by and by in the storage container !
5) Turn Dried Leeks into Powder
Next , it is time to grind your crispy dry leek green scrap into gunpowder . This can be done in a blender , intellectual nourishment central processing unit , or coffee tree grinder . In aVitamix , we are able to create a super mulct , fluffy leek pulverization – though you could choose to leave it more flaky as well ! pulse rate and grate the leek pulverization until it reaches your desired consistence . By this point , the scent should be making you quite mad about thing to come .
6) Store
Finally , transplant your finished dried leek powder into anairtight storage container . We typically use mason jars , either half - dry pint or dry pint - sized , count on how much we make . Repurposing used spice containers would go well too , though not all of them are totally air tight . In humid climates , the wrong container can make your leek pulverization get clumpy much faster .
When store in an airtight container , homemade leek powder isgood for up to a year!We have enjoyed year - old leek gunpowder that had no obvious degradation in quality or taste sensation , though we usually go through it much quicker than that .
7) Enjoy Your Leek Powder
I ’m certain you could all figure out a million wondrous ways to use your tasty , sweet , savory homemade leek pulverization , right ? Well , just in type you need someideas : append it to fresh salsa , guacamole , sautéed veggies , intomato sauce , soups , curry lentils , homemade hummus , salad salad dressing , eggs dishes , sprinkled in with cooking rice or alimentary paste , or added tohomemade sourdoughorherb sourdough pizza crust(yeah , that is as delicious as it sounds ) … Leek powder is particularly amazing in potato salad and deviled egg . The options are sempiternal !
In all , I hope you enjoyed this comfortable tutorial – and feel frantic to go make some homemade leek powder of your own ! Do n’t permit those leek greens go to waste . Keep in mind that a standardised process can be used to create homegrowngarlic powder , onion powder , turmeric powder , chili pepper powder , and evenlemon pulverisation ! snap on any of the aforesaid seasonings to suss out out those didactics .
As always , thanks for tuning in . I go for to see you again soon .
How to Make Dried Leek Powder
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
