Leeks with dirt on them in a pile - Dian Zuraida/Shutterstock For one of my first-ever writing gigs, I had to write an article on chopping leeks. But I was a fraud: I'd never chopped a leek in my life ...

Last week, the Basics column expanded to a Flavor cover story on the joys of braising. Slow-cooking our way to fork-tender pot roasts inspired us to continue with recipes and ideas for this technique.

Leeks, related to garlic and onions, and looking like giant scallions, are milder in both smell and flavor. These versatile alliums can be cooked whole as a vegetable or chopped for use as a flavor ...

Note: From "Essential Pepin," by Jacques Pépin, who is a finalist in two IACP categories. Bring 1 cup water to boil in large skillet. Place leeks in one layer in skillet and bring water to boil again ...

Leeks look like large scallions, having a very small bulb and a long white cylindrical stalk of superimposed layers that flows into green, tightly wrapped, flat leaves. Cultivated leeks are usually ...