We’re starting to see the last of the leeks.
They’re planted now and harvested in late winter / early spring.
Every year I tell myself to plant some. They’re easy to grow, but, if I planted them I would have to pay attention to my garden all fall and winter long.
And as long as I was paying attention to the leeks I might as well have Brussels sprouts, too.
You can see where this would all lead.
Frankly, I can’t be bothered.
I have to do my bit to support the local economy after all…..
Salmon with Leek Sauce
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets, 12oz (360gr) total weight
- 1/2 tsp dill weed
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 small leek, sliced, including light green
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) white wine
- 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) chicken stock
- 2 tbs prepared horseradish
- 2 tbs Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp cornstarch (maizena, corn flour) dissolved in 1 tbs water
Instructions:
- Put salmon on a baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with dill and salt.
- Bake at 400 F for 15 – 17 minutes, until top is light brown and fish flakes easily. It’s okay if slightly translucent in the center.
- While salmon bakes: Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add leeks and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add wine and boil, uncovered for about 3 minutes. Mix should be reduced by about half.
- Add chicken stock and bring to boil.
- Add cornstarch mixture and stir until thickened.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir yogurt, horseradish, cover and keep warm.
- Serve salmon with Leek Sauce on the side.
I know I have told a few stories over the life of this blog about life being a bit different here.
Like when I took our dog to the vet with a problem. The vet looked at her and said it was nothing to worry about.
I asked him how much I owed him for the visit.
He said ‘Nothing’! He didn’t do anything (other than examine her) so why would he charge me anything?
Or when mon mari wanted to rent a tool to do some plumbing work. The local DIY store rents tools as well as sells them. They didn’t have the tool he wanted. The manager told mon mari to buy a new one, use it, then bring it back. He’d refund the difference between the purchase price and the rental rate and add it to the rental pool.
This week our big mower was in being repaired. He took it in last Wednesday and it was supposed to be ready Friday. The shop owner would call when it was ready.
He didn’t call
Because it’s easier to speak French in person than over the phone, mon mari went to the shop on Saturday. ‘They’ had sent the wrong part. A new one would be ordered and it would be ready on Wednesday.
He’d call when it was ready.
He didn’t call.
Mon mari went to the shop on Thursday. Yes the part was in, yes it was the right one, he’d get right at it….
A bit later, after repairing a tire for this person and a whatever for that person, the mower was finally done.
When he got home, mower on the trailer, I asked how much it all cost.
Mon mari said he didn’t know.
The shop owner had told him to use it for awhile to make sure everything was working right. He told mon mari to stop in sometime in the next week or two and pay him if it was all okay.
No hurry…..
Sometimes nice things happen, restores your faith in mankind. It’s lovely to know everyone is not so money hungry they forget about great customer service. A little generosity goes a long way, not just in business but in life in general.
The only time in America that I have encountered such an enlightened idea is when purchasing an oriental carpet; they usually let you take it home and live with it for a while. If you like it, you go back and pay; if not, you just bring it back. Nice.
Lovely salmon dish Katie. Leeks are a favorite of mine – such subtle flavor.
kate, the local shops are always so much nicer than the big stores. I love it when we can deal with them.
Zoomie, that is nice and, really, how else would you know about something that big and focal?
Ina, I’m seriously thinking about breaking my rule and planting some…..
Oooh, garden full of leeks…tricky to cook (for me) but easy to grow. Thanks for the lovely idea!
I love leeks, and I’ve grown them…. I just don’t want a winter garden lol