If you have read my previous post about the One Pot Creamy Pasta, you would know that I recently started cooking with leeks. To be honest, I am so happy that I did because they are an amazing alternative to onions and so easy to work with (especially all the tears that come with chopping onions). They are so versatile since they are mildly sweet but also savoury. They would pair well with any herb, but I have decided to use thyme for this recipe since I was looking to make this dish super cozy.

If you are new to cooking with leeks, I got some tips from my fellow foodies on how to choose the perfect ones. Here are a few quick tips:

  • look for leeks that have as much white and light green as possible. Those are the parts you will be cooking with

  • they need to be crisp and firm

  • if they have any slight yellow hue to them, they are past their point of freshness

  • best when in season, which is from October to May

This recipe for Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks & Thyme is the perfect side dish for any meal. For example, marinated chicken in lemon juice and garlic with a simple side salad would be perfect.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tbsp of butter

  • 1 cup of leeks, chopped

  • 2 1/2 lbs of potatoes, sliced thinly

  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp of dried thyme

  • 1 cup of milk (I used 1%)

  • 1 cup of heavy cream

  • 1/2 tsp of salt

  • 1/2 tsp of pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 F and coat the baking dish with oil or cooking spray. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan. Once melted, add in the leeks and cook for 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat. Cook until the leeks have softened and then add the garlic with the thyme and continue to cook for another minute or so. Stir in the milk and cream and top it off with salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then reduce to simmer so that your mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes).

Add in your sliced potatoes and stir. Make sure all the potatoes are coated in the mixture. Transfer all the contents of your saucepan into your baking dish…spreading the potatoes evenly in the dish.

Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake until it is bubbling and starting to turn golden approximately 1 hour.

Let it cool slightly and you are ready to serve.

Pairs perfectly with a glass of Pinot Noir.

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