Leek with olives

Leek, a versatile and savory ingredient, is the base of this delicious recipe, which promises to bring a special flavor to the plate. We begin by cleaning and washing the leek well, ensuring that we remove any impurities. Then, we cut the leek into pieces about 4-5 centimeters long, to ensure it cooks evenly and quickly. Next, we blanch it in salted water, an essential step that will help enhance the flavors and improve the texture. After the leek has been blanched, we drain it well, removing the excess water, and sauté it in a little hot oil until it becomes slightly soft and releases its specific aroma.

Meanwhile, we take care of the spring onion. After cleaning it, we add it to the pan, where we lightly brown it in oil, so it retains its crunchy texture and delicate flavor. The spring onion will add an extra flavor to our dish, so we are not in a hurry to take it out of the pan too quickly. We continue with the onion, which we cut into thin slices, fish-shaped, and fry in the same pan, in a little oil, until it becomes transparent and glassy. This will bring a sweet and pleasant taste to the dish.

Once the onion is ready, we add the tomato paste, white wine, and vinegar, making sure to mix well. These ingredients not only enrich the sauce but also bring a pleasant acidity. Next, we add about 200 ml of water, and when the mixture starts to boil, it is time to introduce the olives, which will bring an interesting contrast of flavors. We let it boil for a few moments, so the flavors intertwine harmoniously.

After we have obtained a well-bound sauce, we add the leek and spring onion, gently mixing to integrate them into the sauce. We reduce the heat to low or, alternatively, we can transfer the mixture to the oven, covered, to allow the flavors to develop slowly. We let it simmer until the sauce reduces by half, concentrating and intensifying the taste. Finally, we season the dish with salt to taste and add finely chopped fresh dill, which will bring a touch of freshness and color. This dish can be served alongside a simple side dish, such as rice or mashed potatoes, to complete the culinary experience.