October 2023

Braised leeks with sorrel and mussels on toast

Name: Braised leeks on toast
Ingredients: 5 leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced into 5cm pieces (about 700g trimmed); 100g butter or 70ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra oil for drizzling; ½tsp fennel seeds; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; ½tsp coriander seeds, crushed; 450ml white wine; 1 bay leaf; 500g live mussels in their shells, washed in cold running water; 6 thick slices wholemeal sourdough bread; Handful picked sorrel leaves

Softly yielding leeks meet salty mussels and savoury sorrel in Rosie Ramsden's comforting recipe

By Rosie Ramsden

12 October 2023

Laura Edwards

I like to go heavy with the leeks here to allow for a slower, gentler braise, so they collapse and fold sweetly onto the toast. Mussels come out of their shells and join the delicate flavour combination with my favourite herb – sorrel.

Next, try Rosie's recipe for a delicious walnut and beetroot tart.

See all the best recipes from the House & Garden archive.