Leeks are a great substitute for those who wish to omit onions although it is a pity if you have to do without ….the most underestimated and silent ingredient of all cuisines. I personally use a lot of onion to add sweetness and flavour and in this quick fry up of green beans & leek I have used onions and also garlic and ginger, but you could do without all 3 and I reckon get away with it.

Ingredients

250 grams French green beans, cut into about 1½ inch pieces
2 medium onions, sliced
2 medium leeks, sliced
2 tablespoons oil
2 inch cinnamon stick
3 cloves garlic, grated or minced (optional)
2 inch piece ginger, grated (optional)
½ level teaspoon turmeric
1 Kallo vegetable or French onion stock cube, crumbled
Ground black pepper

Method

• Fry the onion and cinnamon stick in oil for about a few minutes on low/medium heat until the onions just begin to change colour
• Add all other ingredients except stock cube and fry for a further 5 minutes on low/medium heat
• Dissolve the stock cube in quarter cup of hot water and add to the fry; keep frying on low/medium heat until the vegetables are dry and the beans cooked yet crunchy (about 10 minutes)
• Grind a little black pepper and serve

Note: you can also add some dry soya protein chunks from Neal’s Yard available at Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods and As Nature Intended. You will need to soak these in boiling water for about 20 minutes before adding to the fry