Recipes>Leek Recipes

Harissa-Roasted Leeks and Tomatoes with Brown-Butter Lime Rice

by Thomasina Miers from Mexican Table

Feeds 4

Golden leeks and bursting cherry tomatoes coated in harissa and spices makes the perfect topping for this buttery lime rice bowl.

Discover more delicious Mexican recipes

Bold and vibrant favourites, from tacos to burritos

From the book

Mexican Table

Thomasina Miers

Buy From

Introduction

One of my favourite regions in Mexico is Baja California, which has a stunning, rugged and snake-like coastline that hugs the Pacific Ocean, home to so much extraordinary sea life. The area is bursting with talented chefs, probably drawn by the first-rate produce. Diego Hernandez is one such cook, and many years ago, he came to cook a supper club at Wahaca. This bowl is inspired by him and that supper club: a light, rich, satisfying concoction of nutty brown lime-drenched rice, sticky roast tomatoes and harissa-spiked leeks. It makes a fine lunch or supper dish. The girls love it, we love it, everyone loves it.

Tags

Ingredients

5garlic cloves, 2 left whole and 3 finely chopped
1 tspsea salt
1 tspcumin seeds
1 tspfennel seeds
3 tbspharissa paste
2 tbsptomato purée (paste)
4-5 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 tspsoft brown sugar
zest of 1lime and juice of 2, plus lime wedges to serve
600g (1lb 5oz)trimmed leeks, cut into rounds
500g (1lb 2oz)cherry tomatoes
300g (10½oz/1⁄3)short-grain brown rice
700ml (24fl oz/scant 3 cups)chicken or vegetable stock, or water
75g (2½oz)butter
large bunch ofcoriander (cilantro), leaves roughly chopped

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan (350°F/gas 6).

Using a pestle and mortar, crush the whole garlic cloves with the salt, cumin and fennel seeds to form a paste, then stir in the harissa, tomato purée, oil, sugar and lime zest. Combine the leeks and tomatoes in a roasting tray and add the paste, tossing to coat. Roast for 25–30 minutes until golden.

Meanwhile, make the rice. Bring the stock or water to the boil in a saucepan, season generously, add the rice and simmer, covered, over a medium–low heat for 30 minutes without removing the lid.

While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over a medium–high heat. Once melted, cook for 3–4 minutes more until foaming, darkening in colour and starting to smell deliciously nutty and toasted. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook for another minute or so until turning soft and golden, then take off the heat and stir through the lime juice and half the coriander.

Uncover the rice and pour over three quarters of the lime butter. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting, cover once more and allow to steam-cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

When you are ready to eat, fluff the rice with a fork and stir through the leeks and tomatoes, along with all their juices, and the rest of the chopped coriander. Check the seasoning, drizzle over the last of the lime butter and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Reviews

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how it went by leaving a comment below.

Cancel reply

Your review

Name *

Our team will respond to any queries as soon as we can - this may take longer over weekends. You do not need to resubmit your comment.

Please note: Moderation is enabled and may delay your comment being posted. There is no need to resubmit your comment. By posting a comment you are agreeing to the website Terms of Use .

Be the first to leave a review

Ingredients
Method

More Recipes from Mexican Table

View all

Charred Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Bacon and Maple Syrup and Pecan Salsa Macha

by Thomasina Miers from Mexican Table

Short-Rib Tacos with Anise, Ancho and Chocolate

by Thomasina Miers from Mexican Table

More Mexican Recipes

View all

Alison Roman’s Impostor al Pastor Tacos

by Alison Roman from Dining In

Charred Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Bacon and Maple Syrup and Pecan Salsa Macha

by Thomasina Miers from Mexican Table

More Roast Recipes

View all

Mary Berry’s Roasted Beets, Squash and Onions

by Mary Berry from Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes

Mary Berry’s Watercroft Chicken

by Mary Berry from Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes

Get our latest recipes, features, book news and ebook deals straight to your inbox every week