Leek: chemical composition and recipes

Leek is not very popular among housewives. And absolutely in vain. After all, this product includes many beneficial substances for the body.In the article we will understand what is its benefit, and also consider the recipes for delicious and healthy dishes.

In the onion family there is a wonderful object - leek, or, as it is also called, pearl onions. The plant’s homeland is Central Asia, but later it moved to the shores of the Mediterranean, where it is still found among wild plants. Most likely, the cultivation of a vegetable plant began in the era of early civilizations. In the history of ancient Egypt, you can find the first mention of leek as a valuable edible plant.

Today, the plant is safely cultivated in all European lands, in the first place of which is the territory of France. This sort of onion occupies one of the highest steps in the kitchens of different countries: it is used for cooking both in its pure form and for soups, gravy, side dishes, sauces. Leek differs from ordinary onion by massive leaves and completely different taste - it is softer, tender, sweetish, with spicy notes. As for the flavor, here it surpasses the onions, which is familiar with a sharp and bitter taste.

In addition to taste, leek is famous for its valuable composition. The main accumulation of useful elements is located on the top of the onion stem, so do not rush to get rid of it when cooking.

Chemical composition:

• vitamins A, E, C, K, H, PP and group B;
• macronutrients - calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, silicon, phosphorus;
• trace elements - boron, cobalt, iron, chromium, zinc, vanadium, manganese, copper;
• acids - linoleic, linolenic, oleic.

In addition, the plant contains mono-and disaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, essential oils and volatile production, which are known for their ability to fight the reproduction of harmful microbes.

The above elements have turned leek into the most valuable product for human health. He is able to:

• strengthen the immune system;
• have a diuretic effect;
• fight colds and viruses;
• increase blood hemoglobin levels;
• stabilize blood pressure;
• act as prevention of atherosclerosis and oncology;
• ensure normal blood clotting;
• monitor the healthy development of the fetus;
• improve vision;
• cure eye diseases;
• eliminate bloating;
• reduce cholesterol levels;
• calm the nervous system;
• accelerate the healing of open wounds.

When inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract gland is necessary to follow a diet. The presence of leek in the diet is reflected in the work of the pancreas, so it should be used with caution. On exacerbations, onions are strictly prohibited. But in the period of remission, you can safely enjoy the vegetable. Boiled and stewed vegetables in small portions feel free to add to ready meals.

High salt makes onion an indispensable tool for rheumatism and gout. Scientists-doctors recognized that this plant normalizes metabolism in the body, enhances the secretion function of the glands of the digestive tract, has a diuretic and choleretic effect, improves the efficiency of the liver, and the treatment of gout, which is a failure of metabolism and stasis of uric acid salts, depends on it.

Those who are watching their weight should pay attention to the energy value of this product - 100 grams of onions contain 36 calories.

BJU:

• protein - 2 g;
• fat - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 6.3 g

During pregnancy, do not rush to exclude vegetables from your menu. When it is taken for food, hemoglobin in the blood is significantly increased, the digestion and work of the nervous system of the future mother are improved. The presence of folic acid can reduce the risk of fetal abnormalities.

During the period of feeding a child, it is better to eat a vegetable product in boiled or stewed form, since a fresh vegetable will negatively affect the taste of milk, which the baby will not like at all.

In case of gastric diseases, it is always important to stick to a diet - it will save you from exacerbations, improve the general condition of the digestive organs. Surprisingly, leek is also useful here: it has an antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic effect; reduces the level of toxins; contributes to the normalization of appetite and the development of gastric juice. Contained vitamins and amino acids are necessary for a patient with gastritis, the main thing is in its proper preparation.

Fresh leeks are recommended to be added to salads or while cooking dishes, but strictly in small quantities. Boiled onions are allowed to put in soups and vegetable stews. The safest onion is considered the safest, as it does not irritate the gastric mucosa.

Like any other onions, leek is useful for diabetes in its own way, because it has a high content of beneficial elements. The only difference is that during the heat treatment the vegetable loses some of the vitamins, because of this it is advised to use it fresh. The glycemic index (GI) of the product is very low - only 15. Using onions will help diabetics lower their blood glucose, contribute to insulin production, and also speed up metabolism and begin to burn fat.

The valuable composition of a leek perfectly strengthens the physical condition of a woman, preserves her beauty and youth. Of course, these moments are primarily related to nutrition, so the main part of the menu of a woman should be vegetables, and the presence of leeks among them will increase the usefulness. Using vegetables in cooking, women complain less often about their health, they look more cheerful, more cheerful and happier. They are easier to survive stress and rehabilitated after them.

Antioxidants present in onions work hard to fight early skin aging, and hair becomes strong, shiny and healthy, which cannot but attract the attention of women.

It seemed that this vegetable can not have harmful properties, unless we are talking about overeating, but there are still contraindications:

• individual intolerance to nickel - a high content of metal in the stems and leaves may cause allergies;
• high acidity - people with high acidity of gastric juice should refrain from a vegetable, as it aggravates the situation;
• changing the taste of mother's milk - will not bring harm to the mother, but the child will not like the bitter taste of milk;
• in diarrhea - coarse fibers in the plant irritate the inflamed intestines, which will increase the pain;
• in case of urolithiasis in the period of exacerbation - the diuretic effect of onions during relapse can harm first the kidneys, and then the whole body;
• in case of a stomach ulcer, salts and acids in onions irritate the stomach walls, which worsens the problem.

Leek adds a special flavor to any dish. Here are some interesting recipes.

To prepare you need:

• 0.5 fresh leek;
• 200 g of sweet pepper;
• olive oil (you can use sunflower);
• lemon juice;
• parsley (or cilantro);
• ground black pepper and salt.

Onion with pepper thinly cut and cut greens. In one large bowl, mix all the ingredients, slowly adding vegetable oil. Add salt and spices to taste. Ready salad decorate slices of tomatoes. Such a dish will bring not only gastronomic delight, but also benefit your body.

Take:

• 250 g ground beef;
• 2-3 potatoes;
• 1 bunch leeks;
• 2 processed cheese;
• vegetable oil;
• salt and spices.

A small amount of butter (by the way, you can use cream) in a saucepan and fry the minced meat to half the readiness. Add water and bring to a boil. Cut potatoes, throw in boiling water and boil potatoes until cooked. Chopped onions and curds put there too. We put the pot on a low fire, stir it regularly. We got a uniform mashed potatoes. Add salt and spices to taste. At the end of cooking decorate with parsley. Serve hot.

We will need:

• 2 eggs;
• 150 g onions;
• 50 ml of milk;
• vegetable oil;
• 25 g of brynza;
• salt and spices to taste.

Beat eggs with milk until smooth. Stew the peeled and chopped onion under the lid so that it limp. Egg mass and onion mix, seasoned. All this is poured into a preheated pan. Close the lid. Cut into pieces, garnish with grated cheese and sprinkle with herbs.

Leek has a small shelf life, so it is better to buy it immediately before cooking. Before buying carefully check the vegetable for freshness. In no case should it be faded.

Save the onions fresh will help a couple of secrets. If the vegetable is cut into strips and frozen, it will preserve its freshness and value for a long time. The same applies to dried onions. Just send it to the oven, heated to 60 degrees, and open the door. This method will turn a vegetable into a spice for dishes. You can also put the onion in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator. This method will preserve the freshness and taste of the product for six months. If there is a cellar, place the leeks in the sand bucket and remove for preservation. Remove it better as necessary.

See the following video about growing leeks.