Savory Pistachio Leek Muffins
My fingers are sore from shelling pistachios.
That’s a real thing. An embarrassing real thing. Not like the muscles, just my fingertips. They hurt. And I only shelled HALF a cup.
It reminds me of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when Mr. Salt (Veruca’s daddy. The 1971 version, obviously) had a peanut factory and had like three hundred women shelling peanuts all day long. That was their JOB.
Man, those ladies had tough fingers. I’m really glad that’s not my job.
BUT, the pistachio shelling is so worth it for this recipe. (Our you could throw down a few extra bucks for the pre-shelled variety).
Also, the leek + pistachio flavor combination? Unlikely, maybe. But so good it’s going to rock your world. You’re going to be putting those two ingredients together from now until eternity.
And if not for eternity, at least for this muffin. I beg of you. For the sake of your taste buds. Do it please.
Savory Pistachio Leek Muffins
PRINT Recipe
- 1 1/2 C flour
- 1 t salt
- 1 t baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 3 T butter, melted
- 1 1/2 C milk
- 2 leeks, sliced (plus a little olive oil for sautéing)
- 1/2 C pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped (and divided)
In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the sliced (and washed) leeks and sauté until they are wilted. About 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder.
In another (smaller) bowl, mix the eggs, butter, and milk.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Then stir in the leeks and 1/4 C of chopped pistachios.
Scoop out the batter into lined muffin tins (about 2-3 tablespoons each). Sprinkle the rest of the pistachios over the muffins.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Also, this little girl laid under the table where I was taking pictures of the muffins…on-and-off begging me to go take a nap, but then changing her mind and asking for more muffin instead. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth…until she nearly fell asleep on the ground and I whisked her away to her bed.
Tamara:
January 17th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
Wow, those look/sound seriously delicious!!! Thank you!
Tamara:
January 17th, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Also, she’s seriously sweet! And I often have trouble deciding between sleep and more eats. Tough call!
Katie:
January 17th, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Me too…always a major decision at the end of the day. Sleep or food?
Kacy:
January 17th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
These sound so unique and fabulous! Yum!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots:
January 17th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
these sound really good! I will be pinning!
Amy @Macncheesenpeas:
January 17th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
awww she looks so sleeepy there. so cute. and yummy muffins, interesting combo of leeks and pistachios!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More:
January 17th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
The muffins were so good she just couldn’t tear herself away? Poor thing.
Katie @ Blonde Ambition:
January 17th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
What an interesting idea for a muffin! I love pistachios
Also, ~sidenote~ I made crackers last night from one of your recipes and, um, couldn’t stop eating them. Making homemade crackers is my new favorite thing!
lynn @ the actor's diet:
January 17th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
i’m on a savory muffin mission – thank you!
Cassie | Bake Your Day:
January 17th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Man I’m so glad that’s not my job. I love that movie…the 1971 version too. And these muffins look perfect!
Sam Ma:
January 17th, 2013 at 9:32 pm
These are brilliant! I wonder if I can use green onions instead of leeks?
Trisha:
January 17th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
I buy two kinds of pistachios at Trader Joe’s for this exact reason. Unsalted, unshelled for cooking/baking/salads. They hide in the wayyyy back of the cupboard when I’m not cooking/baking/salading. And for when I just want to eat pistachios; unsalted, shelled. I feel like the shell makes it too much work to eat too many. So I just eat until my fingers hurt. What I’m trying to say here is that I feel your pain. And Adrienne’s too. Sleep or eat is a conundrum I face everysingleday. Except I’m quite positive that I’m not nearly as cute when needing a nap.
Katie:
January 18th, 2013 at 7:25 am
I Bet that would work well! Maybe use less onion than the recipe calls for because leeks are so mild. Let me know if you try it!
Bev @ Bev Cooks:
January 18th, 2013 at 8:50 am
OMGGGGGGG. I’m seriously salivatinnnnnn.
Cait:
January 18th, 2013 at 9:54 am
Interesting!! I never would’ve thought of the combo but I love it. Also, OF COURSE I just baked muffins last night! Great minds…
Happy Friday friend!
joelle (on a pink typewriter):
January 18th, 2013 at 11:56 am
I never would have put these two together! I’ve grown to really like pistachios, though, and a savory muffin sounds lovely.
Leigh Saulsbury:
January 18th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Oh, my dear Katie! I would never have put pistacios with leeks… but, because of your encouragement I feel like I should try this! You encourage me to cook and I am grateful to you. Much love! xoxox
Ross | TheFaceBaby:
January 19th, 2013 at 12:17 am
I can’t even comprehend this flavor combo until, well, I try the recipe (which will be asap. tomorrow, maybe?). Oh, and a couple of other things:
1. I cannot stand when I eat pistachios and theres a totally sealed one (or a teeny-tiny sliver that no one could possibly pry open without teeth or brute force). Like, “hey nut – who do you think you are? Don’t act like I won’t take a hammer to you, even if I destroy any chance of eating you” … you are not alone in your frustrations.
2. The grandpa in Willy Wonka was supposedly in bed for 20 years and then got up and danced around, whimsically falling down a couple of times, but still dancing around. I didn’t even think twice about this as a child, but am now enraged by the mere impossibility of the whole thing. I dislike being a grown-up.
3. Your little girl is adorable. You know this, but you should still hear it repeatedly.
Katie:
January 19th, 2013 at 8:53 am
Gahh! Point number one makes me want to go get the hammer out of the garage. Infuriating.
Heather @ Better With Veggies:
January 19th, 2013 at 11:27 am
I know that feeling of sore fingers from pistachios. But I agree…so worth it!
Alex:
January 20th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
I’ve never actually had leeks before. Or pistachios. BUT, that will change as soon as I get the ingredients to makes these. Like, today.
Alex:
January 20th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
And your little girl is SO, SO CUTE!!
David Crichton:
January 20th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
What a brilliant recipe! Think I’ll save myself some trouble shelling pistachios and use roasted Marcona Almonds.
Naomi(1fitfoodie):
January 20th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
amazing idea! I love pisachios and the idea of finding them in a muffin is fantastic! I could see these being perfect with a roasted chicken or turkey!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:19 pm
I heart pistachios so these are right up my alley. Thanks!!
Kelly:
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:39 am
Truth? I much prefer a savory bread to a sweet bread…this is definitely a must try!!
Kristen:
January 23rd, 2013 at 11:05 am
Speaking of Willy Wonka – I just read the memoir of the actress who played Veruca Salt “I want it Now!” which is FREE on the Kindle…a fun and quick read about the production of the movie.