Meat & Rice Stuffed Leeks Recipe
A delicious and hearty recipe featuring tender leeks stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, short grain rice, aromatic herbs, and spices, then gently cooked to perfection. This dish offers a comforting blend of textures and rich savory flavors, perfect as a satisfying main course.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Leeks
- 2 leeks, white part only
Filling Ingredients
- 225 grams ground beef
- 0.25 cup short grain rice
- 0.5 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or mashed
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons summer savory or dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Extras
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.25 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the leeks: Trim the root ends and the dark green tops from the leeks, reserving only the white parts. Carefully slice them lengthwise and rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit lodged between layers. Set aside to drain.
- Make the filling: In a bowl, combine ground beef, short grain rice, finely diced onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, summer savory (or dried thyme), dried dill, dried mint, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Stuff the leeks: Gently separate the layers of the white leek sections to create space for stuffing. Fill each leek layer generously with the prepared meat and rice mixture, shaping the filling into the layers carefully without breaking the leeks.
- Arrange and cook: Place the stuffed leeks in a deep pan or pot, arranging them snugly in a single layer. Drizzle the vegetable oil over the stuffed leeks and pour the water into the pan to provide moisture for cooking.
- Simmer: Cover the pan with a lid and cook over low to medium heat for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. This slow simmer allows the rice to cook through and the flavors to meld, keeping the leeks tender and the filling juicy.
- Serve: Once the rice is tender and the meat is thoroughly cooked, remove the pot from heat. Allow the stuffed leeks to rest for a few minutes before serving warm as a main dish or alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- Short grain rice is recommended for the filling as it holds moisture well and becomes tender during cooking.
- You can substitute summer savory with dried thyme if unavailable.
- Be gentle when stuffing the leeks to avoid tearing the layers.
- If you prefer, you can brown the ground beef and onions lightly before mixing with rice and herbs to deepen the flavor.
- This dish can be served with a dollop of plain yogurt or a fresh salad for added freshness.
Keywords: stuffed leeks, ground beef, rice, Mediterranean recipe, savory stuffed vegetables
Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/meat-and-rice-stuffed-leeks-recipe/