Many of you will agree, that you love leeks but are confused about how to serve them.
It's often the side dishes that are more difficult to plan that main dishes.
So let me show you just how easy it is to make creamed leeks with garlic in just 5 minutes and one saucepan.
Are leeks low carb?
Yes, leeks are a low carb vegetable that is lower in carbs and high in fibre. They are not keto but can easily work into a low carb diet as long as you portion control them and make sure they are calculated to stay within your daily carb limit.
The nutrition in 1 cup sliced raw leeks = 11 g net carbs (1.6 g fibre), 1.3 g protein, 0.3 g fat, and 54 calories.
Are leeks good for you?
Leeks are part of the onion and garlic family allegedly have antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Full of niacin, folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine, Vitamin A, C, E, and K, iron, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. Leeks also contain the flavenoid kaempferol, which has been shown to help maintain blood vessels.
Leeks have high levels of polyphenols which protect blood vessels from oxidative damage.
A bit of fun history, the Romans considered leeks to have superior qualities. Emperor Nero got through so many leeks, he was nicknamed Porophagus (leek eater), apparently thinking eating leeks would improve his singing voice! Now when you get that question in a pub quiz, you know who to thank.
What do leeks taste like?
Creamed leeks are incredibly delicious. They are a sweet member of the onion family and almost taste like caramelised onions.
If you don't know how to cook leeks, this easy recipe is made with garlic and with cream cheese that can be served as a wonderful side dish for chicken, pork, beef, salmon, or lamb.
The recipe only takes 10 minutes to make, so quicker than most side dish recipes.
How to serve leeks
Remember with most meals it is the side dishes that make a meal low carb (or not). The easiest way to avoid unnecessary carbs is to stop eating pasta, rice, bread, and starchy vegetables, and go for low-carb vegetables instead.
Creamed leeks are ideal as a side dish or even as a whole dish for lunch. This could even be pureed with some stock and you have a quick soup.
What to serve leeks with:
Releated side dishes:
📖 Recipe
Creamed Leeks with Garlic and Cream Cheese Recipe
Please rate this recipe.
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Ingredients
- 2 large leeks sliced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 25 g (2 tablespoon) cream cheese or more to your liking
- black pepper
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the butter and gently cook the garlic.
- Add the sliced leeks and cook until soft. Stirring throughout.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir through the cream cheese and black pepper.
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Approximate nutrition information is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. For the most accurate nutritional data, use the actual ingredients and brands you used in your preferred nutrition calculator.
Kim
Very nice....might use it on potatoes or as a dip!
sarah carlton
How many does this feed?
Belinda
Im anxious to try this! Thank you Sarah!
Diane
I just made this and it was easy and delicious. A little rich. I might cut the cream cheese in half though. Otherwise an elegant side!
Thia
I have tried this and it is utterly delicious - it is now a staple in our household! And it is just as nice with sour cream instead of the cream cheese. Adding a bit of smoked salmon to it makes it a meal on its own.
Helen Ball
I'm going to try this I already eat leeks almost every day. I usually pan fry them in butter until soft, add some seasoning (usually Donald Russell's The Perfect Seasoning) and a glug of double cream. Heat up for a few minutes and eat. It's good stuff!
Rachel Lanai
Such an easy and delicious dish!
djnikkik
This dish is much higher carb than the sides I usually make but I love leeks so much I just had to try it. It tastes great and I am using cream cheese more and more in my cooking and especially on my vegetables. I had these leeks with the Low Carb Tarragon Chicken and they went great together, very creamy!
laurauru
Hi Libby, I´m following your blog from South America. I want to know when you say cream cheese it is like Philadelphia or some other sort of cheese? Thanks!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Yes, I use Philadelphia cream cheese, original, not the lite or the spreadable. So delicious.
Louisa Price
unfortunately You cant buy that type of cream cheese here in the UK, and Philadelphia/Kraft whatever their company name is, flatly refuse to consider bringing your cream cheese to the UK, I know because I asked, and was informed rather rudely that customer requests would NOT be considered under any circumstances!
Bex Gazzola
Its the same cheese as you would use in a cheese cake, you may use a similar one that is called something else in the uk. Failing that move to Australia, we have great cheese:)
Sharon
New to low carb, and new to leeks. Had been curious about them, and this recipe for a while. I foun this to be a great replacement for noodle/rice side dishes. Great flavor, filling, and good texture, with a bit of crunch. Easy to make, too. Thanks!