Food Fruits & Vegetables Butter-Braised Leeks Chef Kieron Hales recommends saving the delicious cooking liquid from these meltingly tender leeks to use in a soup, as he does at Cornman Farms in southeast Michigan. By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 5, 2021 Print Share Photo: Carson Downing Hands On Time: 15 mins Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 2 1/2 cups Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients 6 medium leeks ¼ cup butter 2 cups chicken stock ¼ of a red onion 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 sprig fresh tarragon 1 slice fresh horseradish or 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish 1 clove garlic 1 whole star anise 1 bay leaf ½ teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons light olive oil Sea salt Directions Preheat oven to 350°. Cut off the root ends of leeks (staying as close to the roots as possible) and the tops of leeks (just where the green part gets darker). Halve leeks lengthwise. Rinse under running water, gently using your thumb to separate the layers without breaking them apart. Place leeks cut sides down on a wire rack 10 minutes to dry. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add stock, onion, rosemary, tarragon, horseradish, garlic, star anise, bay leaf and kosher salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. In a deep 12-inch oven-going skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add leeks, cut sides down; cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; gently pour stock mixture over leeks. Cover skillet and place in oven. Bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool 30 minutes with the lid on. Using tongs, transfer leeks to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Transfer to a serving dish. Season with sea salt. Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 14 Calories 2g Carbs Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 8 Calories 14 % Daily Value * Sodium 13mg 1% Total Carbohydrate 2g 1% Total Sugars 1g Vitamin C 1mg 7% Calcium 10mg 1% Iron 0mg 2% Potassium 28mg 1%